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HISTORY OF THE WAR 



BETWEEN TUB 



UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, 



FROM THE 



COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES 



RATIFICATl OF THE TREAT!' OP PEACE. 



BY JOHN S. JENKINS, 

AUTHOR OF "THB OENEI14LS OF THE LAST WAR WITH ORBAT BRITAIN," 
1 ETC. ETC. ETC, 



AUBURN. 
DERBY, MILLER & COMPANY. 

1849. 




Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by 

DESBY MILLER & CO. 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Northern District of New York. 






THOMAS B. SMITH, STKRKOTYPKR, 
31GWILUA.M STRKKT, N. T. 



®l)is ttJork is CDcbiraleb 

TO 

BOTH REGULARS AND VOLUKTEERS, 

WHOSE GALLANTRY AND INTRF.PIDITY WERE SO OFTZ-N MANIFESTED 

nUHING THE PROGRESS OP THE WAR WITH MEXICO ; AND TUE 

RECORD OP WHOSE ACHIEVEMENTS WILL CONSTITUTE, 

THROUGH ALL FUTURE TIME, ONE OF THE MOST 

ATTR^rTIVE FEATURES OF OUR MILITARY 

AND NATIONAL HISTORY. 



PREFACE. 



The War with Mexico constitutes an episode, ani\ by no 
means, an unimportant one, in the history of the American 
Union. Its brilliant scenes, and stirring incidents, have at- 
tracted unusual attention, and they must long continue to 
be remembered. The honor of the nation, and the triumph 
of her arms, are so closely allied, in the estimation of our 
citizens, that the permanent record of these events cannot 
be devoid of interest. — The military annals of the world pre- 
sent no higher, or more enduring evidences, of the skill and 
courage of any other soldiery. Each arm of the service, — 
cavalry, artillery,* and infantry, — has gained imperishable 
renown ; and the navy, too, ever famed for its gallantry and 
heroism, though necessarily participating, to a less extent, in 
the active operations of the war, is entitled to no small share 
of the laurels which have been won. 

Since the commencement of hostilities, there has certainly 

* It will be borne in mind, by the reader, that the artillery regiments 
in the American service, are equipped, and act, as infantry ; with the 
exception of those detached companies serving with batteries, and des- 
ignated by the names of their commanding officers. 



VI PREFACE. 

been no great dearth of publications, having reference, di- 
rectly or indirectly, to the prosecution of the war. Bio- 
graphical sketches of our most distinguished officers, and 
numerous compilations, glancing at the more important 
achievements of the array, have been issued ; — but, at the 
moment of writing this Preface, I am not aware of the pub- 
lication of any complete history of the colhsion between the 
two great republics on this Continent, which is now happily 
terminated. Such a work must naturally be desired, and 
these pages have been written, with a view of satisfying, in 
some degree, the public expectation. 

In the preparation of this volume, my main reliance, for 
the facts and details connected with the military operations, 
has been upon the official reports of the officers of the army, 
— as well those occupying subordinate positions, as those at 
the head of columns or divisions. The narrative, proper, of 
the war, is preceded by a review of its origin and causes, 
written after a careful examination of the diplomatic corre- 
spondence, and the various publications, of a public or pri- 
vate character, that have appeared from time to time, calcu- 
lated to throw any light on the subject. 

Most of the works which have been of service to me, in 
preparing the volume, are cited in the text, or notes. 
Among those not so cited, are, — Newell's History of the 
Kevolution in Texas ; " Texas and the Texans," by H. Stu- 
art Foote ; " Our Army on the Rio Grande," and " Our 
Army at Monterey," by T. B. Thorpe ; the Campaign 



PREFACE. VU 

Sketches of Captain W. S. Henry ; " The Conquest of Cal- 
ifornia and New Mexico," by J. Madison Cutts ; " Doni- 
phan's Expedition," by J. T. Hughes ; and " Adventures in 
Mexico," b}^ C. Dunnovan. 

I have also derived much valuable information from the 
letters of the regular and occasional correspondents of differ- 
ent public journals, and, particularly, those of the New Or- 
leans press. I have often found these, however, conflictbg 
very materially with the official statements, and, as, from the 
nature of the case, was to be presumed, more or less tinged 
with the gossip of the camp. It has, therefore, been some- 
times extremely difficult to separate the real from the fanci- 
fvJ ; and I can hardly flatter myself with the hope that I 
have entirely avoided errors, though I trust none may be 
found, impairing the general fidelity of the work. 

It is likewise proper that I should acknowledge my in- 
debtedness to the well-executed maps of Majors Tumbull 
and Linnard, and the other able and intelligent officers of the 
Corps of Topographical Engmeers, which have accompanied 
the official reports from the seat of war. 

My thanks are further due, to J. S. Meehan, Esquire, the 
Librarian of Congress, and his assistants, for their kindness 
and courtesy ; and to the Hon. John A. Dix, of the. United 
States Senate, for the receipt of several valuable public doc- 
Txments. 

Auburn, September 1, 1848. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

ORIGIN AND CAUSES OF THE WAR. 

Page 
The Government and People of the United States — Revolutions in 
Mexico — Claims of American citizens — Negotiations — Warlike 
feelings — Settlement of Texas — Revolution — Proposition for An- 
nexation to the United States — Treaty of President Tyler — Joint 
Resolutions — Admission of Texas — Her Boundaries — March of 
General Taylor to the Rio Grande — Hostile Demonstrations on 
the part of Mexico— Capture of Thornton and his party . . . 15 

CHAPTER II. 

BATTLES ON THE RIO GRANDE. 

The intelligence of Thornton's Capture received in the United 
States — Fears for the Safety of General Taylor — Proceedings of 
Congress — Preparations for War — Prompt response to the call for 
Volunteers — The Army of Occupation — Skirmishing — March to 
Point Isabel — Bombardment of Fort Brown— Battle of Palo Alto 
— Resaca de la Palma — Capture of Matamoras, and other Mex- 
ican Towns on the Rio Grande 89 

CHAPTER III. 

CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. 

Fremont's Expedition — Jealousy of the Mexican Authorities — 

Affair at Sonoma — Declaration of Independence — The Pacific 

Squadron — Capture of all the prominent points in the Californias 

March of the Army of the West from Fort Leavenworth to Santa 

Fe Conquest of New Mexico — Departure of General Kearny 

1* 



X CONTENTS. 

Pag« 

for California — Counter Revolution — Battle of San Pascual — 

Passage of the San Gabriel^ — Ciudad de los Angelos — Arrival of 
Troops, and complete occupation of the Country 123 

CHAPTER IV. 

MONTEREY. 

Censure of General Arista — Arrival of Volunteers on the Rio Grande 
— Proclamation — Difficulty in procuring Transportation and 
Supplies — Advance of the Army — Encounter at Ramos — Defen- 
ces of Monterey — Skirmish at San Jeromino — Storming of Fed- 
eracion Hill and the Soldada — Diversion in the lower part of the 
Town — The Enemy's line of defence penetrated — Terrible slaugh- 
ter among the Assailants — Capture of the Bishop's Palace — The 
Americans in the City — Street-fighting— Capitulation .... 149 

CHAPTER V. 

wool's column. 

Terms of the Capitulation at Monterey — Armistice — Revolution in 
Mexico — Return of Santa Anna — Proposition to Negotiate — 
Evacuation of Monterey — Concentration of troops at San An- 
tonio de Bexar — March of General Wool— Change of Route — 
Monclova — Termination of the Armistice— Occupation of Saltillo, 
Parras, and Tampico — The Mexican Army at San Luis Potosi — 
Threatened Attack on Saltillo — March to Victoria 178 

CHAPTER VI. 

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE GULF. 

The American Navy — The Home Squadron — Blockade of the Mex- 
ican Ports — Loss of the Truxton — Laws passed by the Govern- 
ment of Mexico to encourage Privateering — Attempt against 
Alvarado — ^Attack on Tabasco — Occupation of Tampico — Burn- 
ing of the Creole — Wreck of the Somers — Capture of Laguna . 195 

CHAPTER VII. 

BUENA VISTA.' 

General Scott ordered to Mexico — Expedition to Vera Cruz — With- 
drawal of Troops from the Army under General Taylor — Surprise 



CONTENTS. XI 

Page 
of Arkansas and Kentucky Cavalry at Encarnacion — Advance 
of Santa Anna from San Luis Potosi — The Pass of Angos- 
tura — Buena Vista — Position of the American Troops — Approach 
of the Enemy — The Battle — Bravery of the Volunteers — Skir- 
mish near Saltillo — Disastrous retreat of the Mexican Army — 
Attack on the Wagon Trains — Pursuit of Urrea 206 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SAN JUAN DE ULUA. 

The Island of Lobos — Rendezvous of American Forces — OflVr to 
negotiate — Vera Cruz — Castle of San Juan De Ulua — Landing 
of the Troops under General Scott — Skirmishing — Line of In- 
vestment — Bombardment — Effect of the Fire — Affair at the Pu- 
ente del Midois— Dragoon fight at Madellin — Capitulation of the 
City and Castle — Capture of Alvarado — Advance of the Army 
into the Interior — Opening of the Mexican Ports 244 



CHAPTER IX. 

SCOTT AT CERRO GORDO. 

Return of Santa Anna to the city of Jlexico — Fortifications at 
Cerro Gordo— Arrival of the American Army at the Rio del Plan 
— Storming the Heights — The Enemy routed — Capture of Jalapa 
and Perote — The Guerilleros — Proclamation of General Scott — 
Entrance of the Americans into Puebla — Warlike proceedings of 
the Mexican government — Skirmishing on the road from Vera 
Cruz— The Army reinforced — March towards the Mexican Cap- 
ital 268 



CHAPTER X. 

Doniphan's march. 

The Missouri Volunteers — Expedition against the Navajos — Orders 
to join General Wool — La Jornada del Muerto — Skirmish at 
Bracito — El Paso del Norte — Fortifications of the Enemy at the 
Pass of Sacramento — The Battle — Flight of the Mexicans — 
Entrance into the City of Chihuahua — March to Monterey — Re- 
turn Home 305 



XU CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XL 

REVOLT IN NEW MEJaCO. 

Page 
Disaffection among the inhabitants of New Mexico — Murder of 
Governor Bent and others— March of Colonel Price — Defeat of 
the enemy at Canada — Affair at Moro — The Pass of Embudo — 
Storming of Puebla de Taos — Suppression of the Revolt — Dep- 
redations in the Valley of the 3Ioro — Skirmishes with the Marau- 
ders—Quiet restored in the Province 321 



CHAPTER Xn. 

CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO. 

Route from Puebla — The Valley of Mexico — Fortifications — Turn- 
ing Lake Chalco — Affair at Oka Laka — March of Major Lally from 
Vera Cruz to Jalapa — Arrival of the American army at San Augus- 
tin — Attempt to reach the San Angel road — Crossing the Pedregal 
— The Night Bivouac — Storming the Intrenchments atContreras 
— The Enemy driven from San Antonio — Battle of Churubusco — 
The Victors at the Gates of the Capital 334 

CHAPTER Xni. 

EL MOLINO DEL REY. 

The Armistice — Fruitless attempt at Negotiation — Bad faith of the 
Mexican authorities — Political dissensions — Violation and Rup- 
ture of the Truce — Correspondence between General Scott and 
Santa Anna — Reconnaissances — Assault of El Molino del Rey 
and Casa de Mata — Severity of the Action — The Enemy driven 
from their position 374 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CAPTURE OF MEXICO 

Preparations for a final attack on the City and its defences — Heavy 
Batteries planted — The Cannonade — Storming of Chapul tepee — 



CONTENTS. Xm 

Page 
Advance of General Quitman to the Garita de Belen and the 
Ciudadela — Operations of General Worth on the San Cosme 
Causeway — Flight of Santa Anna and his Army — Entrance of 
General Scott into the Capital — The Leperos — Quiet restored in 
the City — Change in the Mexican Administration 398 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE ARMY UNDER TAYLOR. 

The American forces on the line of the Sierra Madre, and in the 
Valley of the Rio Grande — Correspondence between General 
Taylor and General Mora y Villamil — The Texan Rangers — Ex- 
pedition to Huejutla — Part of General Taylor's forces ordered to 
Vera Cruz — Position of the Troops — The command transferred 
to General Wool 433 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE GULF SQUADRON. 

Expedition against Tuspan — Capture of the Town — The Carmel- 
ita — Recapture of Tabasco — Repeated Skirmishes with the Ene- 
my — Affair at Timulte — Abandonment of the City — Difficulties 
in Yucatan . . . • 445 



CHAPTER XVII, 

CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR. 

Defence of Puebla — Occupation of the Prominent Points on the 
National Road — March of General Lane to the Relief of Colonel 
Childs — Battle of Huamantla — Attack on Atlixco — The Gueril- 
leros— Opening of General Scott's Communications — The Mex- 
ican Congress and Government — Negotiations Resumed — The 
Army in the Capital — Orders for tlie Collection of Taxes — Ex- 
pedition to Tehuacan — Affairs in California — Capture of Gua- 
yamas and Mazatlan — Defence of La Paz and San Jose — March 
of General Price upon Chihuahua— Storming of Santa Cruz de 
Resales 454 



MT CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

TREATY OF PEACE. 

rage 
Firmness of the Mexican Administration — Treaty of Peace con- 
cluded — Skirmishes — Expedition of General Lane — Ratification 
of the Treaty — Evacuation of Mexico by the American Troops — 
Reflections — The Territory Acquired — Capacity of our Country 
for War — Conclusion . , 491 



THE WAR WITH MEXICO. 



CHAPTER I. 

ORIGIN AND CAUSES OF THE WAR. 

The Government anu People of the United States — Revolutions m 
Mexico — Claims of American citizens — Negotiations — Warlike feel- 
ings — Settlement of Texas — Revolution — Proposition for Annexation 
to the United States — Treaty of President Tyler — Joint Resolutions 
— Admission of Texas — Her Boundaries — March of General Taylor 
to the Rio Grande — Hostile demonstrations on the part of Mexico — 
Capture of Thornton and his party. 

From the time of the cessation of hostih'ties with 
Great Britain, in pursuance of the treaty concluded at 
Ghent, in December 1814, until 1846, a period of more 
than thirty years, the government of the United States 
was not involved in war with any of the nations of the 
earth. Occasional interruptions of her friendly rela- 
tions with other countries and governments temporarily 
disturbed the harmony previously existing between 
them ; but the causes of dispute were soon removed, 
and every difficulty satisfactorily adjusted, with, per- 
haps, the single exception — that which terminated in 
the war with Mexico. The American Confederacy 
was formed, not for the political aggrandizement of its 
members, collectively or individually, but solely and 
entirely for purposes of mutual protection and defence. 
It has been our uniform policy, since the assertion and 



16 THE AMERICAN NATION". 

successful vindication of our independence, though 
never sacrificing anything of national dignity, to keep 
aloof from all entangling alliances with foreign powers, 
to avoid subjects of contention likely to furnish an ex- 
cuse for their interference in our domestic affairs, and 
assiduously to cultivate the arts and the institutions of 
peace. The elements of greatness and power are ours ; 
yet these have been manifested, not so much in the 
achievements of our armies, and the splendor of our mil- 
itary establishments, as in the protection afforded to our 
commerce, and the encouragement given to the agri- 
cultural and industrial pursuits to which our people are 
devoted. The growth of the nation has been rapid, 
beyond parallel. At the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, she was weak and feeble — she is now great and 
powerful. But her career of glory, unexampled as it 
is, has been marked, more than all, by the development 
of new principles in government, by the energy and 
industry which have made the wilderness to blossom 
like the rose, and by the extension of human civiliza- 
tion, from the frozen regions of the north to the land 
of perpetual flowers — from the rock-bound coast of 
the Atlantic to the prairies of the West — " the gardens 
of the desert," whose " very weeds are beautiful," and 
whose 

" waste 
More rich than other climes' fertility." 

At the close of the Revolution, a new government 
was established, and we became, emphatically, a new 
people. It was our aim and object to remain at peace 
with the world, and to continue forever wholly inde- 
pendent of every other power. Our land was the 
refuge of the oppressed of every nation and creed ; the 
natural enmity of the Briton and the Gaul was forgot 



MARTIAL SPIRIT. 17 

ten ; the traits and characteristics which were always 
found arrayed in hostihty upon the Eastern Continent, 
were here blended harmoniously together; and those 
prejudices calculated to diminish or impair the strength 
of the alliance, were softened and subdued by the con- 
sciousness that its preservation was essential to our 
safety. The terms "Anglo-Saxon," and "Anglo-Amer- 
ican," are often applied to us ; but is not this the lan- 
guage of mere affectation and cant ? Surely they 
are inapplicable to us and to our children. We have 
sprung from the Saxon, the Norman, and the Celt, with 
here and there an admixture of nearly all the other 
races of the earth. We are Americans ! — neither more 
nor less — and why should we claim a different title 
from that which Washington and his contemporaries 
were proud to own ? This is ours, justly ours ; and 
it has become a passport to respect and confidence 
throughout the world. 

While engrossed in the prosecution of those peace- 
ful pursuits, for the security of which their government 
was formed, the American people have not been un- 
mindful of the efforts that have been made to establish 
institutions similar to their own, in other quarters of 
the globe. Their sympathies were never withheld 
from the oppressed, nor their assistance denied, when 
it could be rendered consistently with their duties and 
obligations as a nation. Neither have they failed to 
assert, at all proper times, and on all proper occasions, 
their rights as a separate and independent sovereignty. 
The martial spirit of a republic, whose independence 
was secured by force of arms, could not be easily sub- 
dued. Every citizen among us shares the privileges 
and the responsibilities of government ; each one can 
say^ like the French monarch, though in a far different 



19 PATRrOTISM. 

spirit, " I am the state !" and iience it is, that the lan- 
guage of menace, or an act of outrage or insult com- 
mitted in the remotest section of the Union, sends an 
instantaneous thrill through the breasts of our country- 
men. Peace societies and conventions have denounced 
feuds, and contentions, and wars ; they have striven to 
inculcate mildness and forbearance in the adjustment 
of all difficulties among governments ; they have 
labored, earnestly and zealously, to make forgiveness 
the law of the council-room and the audience-cham- 
ber ; but, however praiseworthy their efforts, or benev- 
olent their intentions, they have produced little change 
in the feelings and dispositions of the American people. 
Go where we may, at home or abroad, — on the sea or 
on the land, — wherever we find one of our citizens, 
standing beneath the broad folds of our national flag, 
we shall see his eye kindle and his bosom throb, as he 
gazes on the proud emblem floating above him ; and if, 
at such a moment, violence be offered, either rightfully 
or wrongfully, to him or to it, his arm is nerved for the 
defence with tenfold vigor and strength 1 

The moralist who can sit calmly down to analyze 
the sentiment which is thus manifested, may discover 
something of error mixed up with what is commenda- 
ble ; but so long as it forms the same part of our na- 
tures with patriotism and love of country, it cannot 
well be separated. If it be dangerous to arouse it, with- 
out justifiable and sufficient cause, it is far more so, to 
trifle with, or insult it with impunity. This sentiment, 
or emotion, or impulse, by whatever name it may be 
dignified, has become a fixed and abiding principle in 
the hearts of our fellow-citizens ; and it was never more 
signally exhibited than during the progress of the Mex- 
ican war. Differences of opinion existed with regard 



REPUBLIC OF MEXICO. 19 

to the necessity for the commencement of hostilities ; 
but when once determined on, all classes and parties 
aided in their vigorous prosecution. Our young men, 
at the plough and in the workshop — in the office and 
the counting-house — in tow^n and in country — had no 
sooner heard of battles, than they longed " to follow to 
the field." The recital of the brilliant deeds performed 
by men animated by such a spirit, will, no doubt, be 
welcome to the reader : but before proceeding with the 
narrative, the origin and causes of the war seem very 
appropriately to demand attention. 

The republic of Mexico, for such she has claimed to 
be, amid all the phases and changes in her political con- 
dition, has never possessed a firm or stable government 
since 1821, when she ceased to be one of the depend- 
encies of the Spanish crown, except during the first 
presidency under the federal constitution. Her pro- 
longed struggle for independence was not viewed with 
indifference in the United States. The government of 
the latter was the first to recognize her separate exist- 
ence, and her battle fields were crimsoned with the blood 
of many an American citizen. In the darkest hour of 
her fortunes, in the midst of peril and difficulty, she was 
cheered and encouraged by those who had encountered 
similar trials and dangers, and who were then basking 
in the sunshine of freedom, and enjoying the rich re-, 
ward they had labored to secure. The ties and associ- ' 
ations thus formed, it was hoped would become more 
firm and enduring, as the commercial and social inter- 
course between the two countries was extended. But 
the character and habits of the Mexican people unfitted 
them for the rational enjoyment of free institutions ; and 
they became the easy prey of the military despots, who 
by turns harassed and oppressed them. The descend- 



20 CIVIL DISSENSIONS. 

ants of the Spaniard, while they have retained many 
of the more noble traits of their ancestors, they have 
acquired all the baser passions and characteristics of the 
different races with which they have amalgamated.* 
They are passionate and vindictive, treacherous and 
cruel, indolent and selfish ; and their bravery is an im- 
pulse rather than a sentiment. Thefierte of the an- 
cient Hidalgo, the pride of the old Castilian, are almost 
forgotten ; and the faith of their forefathers is corrupted 
by the traditions of Tlascala and Cholula. 

In 1822, Iturbide was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, 
by the lawless and licentious soldiery whom he had 
rendered obedient to his wishes. His short reign was 
characterized by the profligacy, anarchy, and corrup- 
tion, which reigned everywhere triumphant. The money 
and property of foreign merchants were seized without 
warrant or justification, and the laws of nations openly 
and constantly disregarded. His attempt to unite the 
descendants of the Spaniards, and the original natives 
of Mexico, on terms of amity and friendship, in support 
of a government whose rapacity was only limited by 
its power of gratification, proved utterly abortive. He 
was dethroned and put to death by an exasperated peo- 
pie, in 1824, at which time the federal constitution, mod- 
elled after that of the United States, was adopted, and 
Victoria elevated to the presidency. Aside from the 
revolt of General Bravo, the vice-president, which was 
soon quelled, his term of office was comparatively tran- 
quil and peaceful ; yet, in several instances, the prop- 

* The population of Mexico is about 7,000,000. One-fifth of this num- 
ber are whites, of Spanish origin; two-fifths, Indians; and the re- 
mainder, partly negroes, but mainly composed of a mongrel population, 
descended from whites, Indians, and negroes, who are termed Mesti- 
zoes, MidattoeSj and Zanibocs. • 




DON ANTONIO LOl'KZ DE SANTA ANNA. 



SANTA ANNA. 21 

erty of American citizens was illegally wrested from 
them by the corrupt agents of the government. Upon 
the expiration of Victoria's term, a bloody contest en- 
sued between the rival candidates for the succession. 
General Guerrero was the successful candidate, and his 
competitor, Pedrazo, was banished. Within a year the 
former was deprived of his power and his life. Con- 
fusion, disorder, and misrule, prevailed throughout the 
republic. Two great parties, embracing numerous 
minor factions, were contesting for the supremacy. 
The Federalistas were in favor of adhering to the con- 
stitution of 1824, and the Centralistas desired to estab- 
lish a central consolidated government. Guerrero was 
succeeded by the vice-president, Bustamente, a prom- 
inent and leading centralist. The war between the 
two parties was waged more fiercely than ever. Bus- 
tamente was finally banished, and General Antonio 
Lopez de Santa Anna, one of the heroes of the revolu- 
tion, was raised to power by the joint efforts of the 
aristocracy and clergy. The constitution of 1824 was 
nominally preserved during all these dissensions ; but 
in October, 1835, it was set aside by Santa Anna, and 
the country divided into departments, with governors 
appointed by the central authorities.* The southern 
states, or provinces, generally concurred in the change ; 
but those at the north refused to accede, until they were 
chastised into submission by the presidential dictator, 
who had broken the league of federation, and established 
centralism in its stead. Texas alone refused to surren- 
der her state sovereignty, and maintained a successful 

* Under the federal constitution, Mexico was divided into 19 states, 
4 territories, and a federal district. The provinces of Coahuila and 
Texas were formed into a state bearing the names of both. 



22 CONSOLIDATION. 

resistance against the armies sent to subdue her.* 
This consolidated government, formed in 1835, under- 
went no material change, until the year 1 846, although 
its founder was compelled to share the power secured 
to the central head, in turn, with Bustamente, Herrera, 
and Paredes.f 

' While the republic of Mexico was divided and dis- 
tracted by these internal tumults and disorders, the 
government of Spain attempted its re-subjugation. Ex- 
peditions and armaments were fitted out, but they only 
served to exhaust the treasuries of both the mother 
country and her former colony. The Mexican author- 
ities employed the most illegal measures to replenish 
their coffers. The position of the United States, in 
the immediate vicinity, and the extent of their com- 
merce in the Gulf, caused them to feel the efiects of 
the arbitrary proceedings which were resorted to, more 
seriously than any other nation, and rendered it im- 

* Yucatan followed the example of Texas, in 1840, and declared 
herself independent. In 1843 she was reunited to Mexico; but in 

1846, she again revolted, and, assuming a position of neutrality, refused 
to take part in the war against the United States. 

•f Paredes is an avowed monarchist in principle, and after his acces- 
sion to power, the calling of a foreign prince to the throne was advo- 
cated in the columns of the " Tiempo,"a journal conducted by Lucas Ala- 
man, one of his confidential friends, and the author of his convocatoria, 
or edict, calling together the constituent Congress, promulgated on the 
27th of January, 1846. The same idea was suggested by a French au- 
thor, (M. de Mofras,) in a work on Oregon and California, published 
with the approbation of the Court of France, in 1844. He advocated 
the establishment of a European monarchy, and thought a suitable per- 
son to occupy the throne might be selected from the infantas of Spain, 
the French princes, or the archdukes of Austria. From a statement 
made by Senor Olozoga in the Cortes of Spain, on the 1st of December, 

1847, it appears that large sums of money were drawn from the treasury 
in Havana, in the year 1846, for the purpose of establishing a Spanish 
prince on the throne of Mexico. 



CLAIMS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS. 23 

possible to maintain that strict amity which, under 
other auspices, might have been forever preserved be- 
tween the two great repubUcs on the Western Con- 
tinent. Vessels sailing under the American flag were 
plundered ; the goods of our merchants confiscated, 
and the owners, or their agents, imprisoned with im- 
punity. The advent to power of each new usurper, 
was attended by renewed violations of public law and 
private rights. Useless and oppressive blockades were 
attempted to be enforced by one party against the other, 
though fighting beneath the same banner, and loudly 
professing their attachment to the same country. That 
the adventurous citizens of the American Union, know- 
ing little or nothing of civil strife and commotion in 
their own country, should be unable at all times to dis- 
tinguish between the party in power and their oppo- 
nents, and should sometimes disregard the regulations 
and enactments which appeared to them to have been 
unjustly and arbitrarily established, were the natural 
consequences of the unsettled character of the Mexican 
government. 

For a long time the authorities of the United States 
contented themselves with remonstrating aa;ainst these 
proceedings, and making reclamations in behalf of our 
citizens. Promises of redress were postponed or evaded, 
and remonstrances were followed by new acts of dep- 
redation, and still more wanton outrages. At length, 
a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, was con- 
cluded between the two republics, on the 5th of April, 
1831. The condition of things, however, remained 
unchanged. Although the provisions of the treaty 
were clear and positive, "the course of seizure and 
confiscation of the property of our citizens, the viola- 
tion of their persons, and the insults to our flag, pur. 



24 ADDITIONAL INJURIES. 

sued by Mexico previous to that time, were scarcely- 
suspended for even a brief period."* The situation 
of that country^vvas, indeed, most deplorable; the 
accumulating burdens beneath which she struggled, 
threatened to blot out her national existence ; and it 
was thought best to exhibit towards her a spirit of for- 
bearance and magnanimity, in the hope that corres- 
ponding feelings would be produced on her part, to be 
followed by an amicable adjustment of all difficulties 
and disputes. On the contrary, additional indignities 
were heaped upon the officers and flag of the United 
States ; applications for the redress of grievances were 
unavailing; and in 1837, the American government 
was itself insulted by the Mexican minister at Wash- 
ington.! These circumstances constituted, in the 
opinion of the then Executive, a sufficient justification 
for immediate war ; but desirous, as he was, to avoid this 
alternative, and in view of the embarrassed condition 
of Mexico, he thought one more opportunity of aton- 
ing for the past should be given, before taking redress 
into our own hands. " To avoid all misconception," 
he said, " on the part of Mexico, as well as to protect 
our national character from reproach, this opportunity 

♦ Message of President Polk, December, 1846. 

■f It is but just to Mexico, to remark, that one ground of complaint on 
her part, and one excuse for delaying the settlement of the American 
claims for spoliations and personal injuries, was. the interference of our 
citizens in the revolutionary struggle in Texas. This, however, was 
but a pretence which fortunately presented itself, and should have had 
little weight with a nation disposed herself to be just. The authority 
of the general government was exerted to prevent any act of interference 
in contravention of existing laws or treaties; but it was impossible to 
place any restraint upon the right of expatriation. American citizens 
have always claimed and exercised this right, and numbers of the-m 
fought on the side of the Texans, as they had previously done in behalf 
of the Mexican people themselves. 



PBOCEJiDINGS OF CONGRESS. 25 

should be given with the avowed design and full prep^ 
aration to take immediate satisfaction, if it should not 
be obtained on a repetition of the demand for it. To 
this end, I recommend that an act be passed author- 
izing reprisals, and the use of the naval force of the 
United States, by the Executive, against Mexico, to 
enforce them, in the event of a refusal by the Mexican 
government to come to an amicable adjustment of the 
matters in controversy between us, upon another de- 
mand thereof, made from on board of one of our vessels 
of war on the coast of Mexico."* 

The two houses of Congress coincided vi^ith the Pres- 
ident in the opinion, that the government of the United 
States would be fully justified in taking redress into her 
own hands ; but, in order that " the equity and moder- 
ation" with which she had acted " towards a sister re- 
public," might be placed beyond doubt or question, they 
advised " the experiment of another demand," to be 
" made in the most solemn form." The recommenda- 
tion was carried into effect, and a special messenger 
dispatched to Mexico, by whom a final demand for re- 
dress was made, on the 20th of July,' 1837. The reply 
of the Mexican government, made on the 29th of the 
same month, abounded in expressions of an anxious de- 
sire " to terminate the existing difficulties between the 
two governments" upon fair and honorable terms, in a 
speedy manner, and in accordance with " the sacred 
obligations imposed by international law, and the relig- 
ious faith of treaties." It was also stated, that the de- 
cision made by the Mexican government in each case, 
would be duly communicated to the government of the 
United States, through her minister at Washington. 
These promises and assurances answered the object 

* ^;^"''i3l Mpssacre of President Jackson, February, 1837. 
2 



26 THE JOINT COMMISSION. 

which Mexico appears to have had in view — that of 
securing further delay and postponement. 

The annual message of President Van Buren, in De- 
cember, 1837, informed Congress, that " for not one 
of our public complaints had satisfaction been given or 
offered ;" that but " one case of personal wrong" had 
been favorably considered, and but four cases, " out of 
all those formally presented, and earnestly pressed/' 
had been decided upon by the Mexican government. 
This tedious mode of proceeding, especially where the 
claims were so numerous, and had so long been the 
subjects of discussion and negotiation, was certainly 
unworthy of any nation. The American Executive 
recommended the adoption of prompt and decisive 
measures ; but the pecuniary embarrassments of the 
country, and a desire to avoid hostilities, induced Con- 
gress to hesitate. A new negotiation was opened with 
Mexico, and on the 11th of April, 1839, a joint com- 
mission was appointed "for the adjustment of claims of 
citizens of the United States of America upon the gov- 
ernment of the Mexican republic," whose powers were 
to terminate in February, 1842. The commissioners 
met, and organized on the 11th of August, 1840. Four 
months were spent in the discussion and determination 
of frivolous questions raised by the Mexican commis- 
sioners ; and it was not until the month of December 
following, that the board commenced the examination 
of the claims. The powers of the commission ceased 
in February, 1842, before one half, in amount, of the 
claims submitted to them had been disposed of. The 
amount of claims allowed by the board, and by the 
umpire authorized to make a final decision in cases of 
disagreement between the Mexican and American 
commissioners, exceeded two millions of dollars. The 



AMOJNT OF THE CLAIMS. 27 

claims pending before the umpire, who considered that 
his authority exoired simultaneously with that of the 
joint commission, amounted to more than nine hundred 
thousand dollars ; and those left undecided, for want of 
time, amounted to near three and a half millions.* 

The sum acknowledged and awarded to the Ameri- 
can claimants by the joint commission and the umpire, 
was admitted by the Mexican government to be an 
actual liquidated debt ; and at her request, and for her 
convenience, its paynjent was postponed by a conven- 
tion concluded on the 30th of January, 1843, and en- 
tered into, as therein expressed, " for the accommoda- 
tion of Mexico." The interest due on this sum, on the 
30th of April, 1839, and three of the twenty instalments 
provided for by the terms of the convention, were paid ; 
but the remaining instalments, commencing with that 
payable in April, 1844, were still due by Mexico on the 
breaking out of hostilities. The convention of Janu- 
ary, 1843, also made provision for another convention, 
for the settlement of the remaining claims ; in accord- 
ance with which, a third convention was signed at the 
city of Mexico, on the 20th of November, 1843. This 
convention was ratified by the Senate of the United 
States, in January, 1844, with two amendments, which 
were both just and reasonable. Although the subject 
was repeatedly urged upon the consideration of the 
Mexican government, she did not decide whether she 
would or would not accede to those amendments. 

During the pendency of these negotiations for the 
settlement and payment of the American claims, which 
were characterized on the part of Mexico, by delay, 
prevarication, and evasion ; and from the time when 
rec amations were firstmadeby our government, the re- 

* The amount of these claims, in the aggregate, was $0,291,604 61. 



28 TEXAS 

lations existing between the two countries were far from 
be'ng of a friendly or pacific character. Had they been 
otherwise, it is not unlikely that the subjects of dispute 
which afterwards arose, and which constituted the 
immediate cause of war, would not have led to any iu- 
terrup>ion of the harmony demanded by the permanent 
welfare and happiness of both nations. But this pre- 
disposition to hostilities was heightened and strength- 
ened by the negotiations for the acquisition of Texas, 
and assumed a positive and decided form, upon its in- 
corporation into the American confederacy. 

Prior to the year 1690, the territory embraced with 
in the limits of the present state of Texas, formed a 
nominal part of the conquest of Cortes. In that year 
the Spaniards drove out a French colony, who had 
established themselves at Matagorda, and made their 
first permanent settlement at San Francisco. The old 
Spanish town of San Antonio de Bexar, the original 
capital of the province, was founded in 1G98 ; La Bahia, 
afterwards called Goliad, in 1716 ; Nacogdoches in 
1732 ; and Victoria at a still later date. For many 
years, but little was known in regard to the soil, cli- 
mate, or position of the country. Its limits were not 
accurately defined, nor its natural history correctly 
understood, by the Spanish historians and geographers, 
while it remained under the dominion of Spain.* 
Humboldt's great work, " La Nouvelle Espagne," writ- 
ten in 1803, and published in 1807, is the most reliable 
authority of that day; but the boundaries laid down in 
his Atlas seem to have been arbitrarily adopted, as they 
do not follow any of those great natural landmarks 
which would probably have been selected, had they 

* Diccionario Geografico— Historico de Las Indias Occidentales 6 
America : Madrid, 1789, Tom. v. p. 109. 



HER GEOGRAPHY. 29 

been established by any legitimate authority.* The 
statistical information furnished by Pike, in the narra- 
tive of his expedition undertaken in 1807, was deemed 
very valuable, though it added nothing to the accuracy 
of the geographical knowledge of the country. The 
northern portion w^is inhabited by the Camanches, 
Apaches, Mescaleros, and other predatory tribes of 
Indians ; and the few white inhabitants at the south 
were careless and indifferent as to its cultivation, and 
appeared entirely ignorant of its resources and its ca- 
pacity for improvement. It was quite natural, there- 
fore, that the most erroneous ideas should hav^ been 
entertained with regard to its fertility and productive- 
ness, by the people of other countries. The skilt bor- 
dering on the coast was supposed to be a barren Waste, 
or desert prairie ; and the interior cold, sterilti, and 
mountainous. Later historians and travellers repre- 
sent the level strip lying along the Gulf, as resembling 
that in the other southern states, in all its principal 
features ; as being well adapted to the culture of sugar 
and cotton, and remarkably fertile in the vicinity of 
the numerous creeks and rivers.f North of the 32nd 

* Atlas Geographique et Physique, du Royaume de La Nouvelle Es- 
pagne. Paris, 1808. * 

f The country lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande has 
been generally understood to be a desert prairie, and is sometimes called 
" the stupendous desert.'' Probably there has been some confusion in 
relation to the precise locality of the great desert of Muerto, lying west 
of the Guadalupe mountains. In a speech delivered by Mr. Sevier, of 
Arkansas, in the Senate of the United States, on the 4th of February 
1848, the "desert" between the two rivers is stated to be, in fact, "a 
large fertile prairie, resembling the famous blue-grass pastures of Ken- 
tucky." After traversing 119 miles, near three fourths of the distance 
from Corpus Christi to Point Isabel, General Taylor, in his letter to the 
adjutant general, dated at " E! Sauce," March 18th, 1846, represents 
h\? command to be " in fine condition and spirits." The march was 



30 LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 

parallel of latitude, the climate is colder, but the coun- 
try is rolling and fertile, or, if broken, possessing well- 
watered valleys, and destined eventually to be occupied 
for raising stock and grain.* 

After the cession of Louisiana to France, and its 
purchase by the government of the United States, in 
1803, it was claimed by the latter, that the Rio Grande 
del Norte formed the south-western boundary of the 
acquired territory. This claim was never acknowl- 
edged by Spain ; and when Pike passed through the 
country, on his way from the Passo del Norte to 
Nacogdoches, he saw no evidence that the people 
deemed themselves connected in any way with the 
Louisiana purchase ; on the contrary, their habits, cus- 
toms, and feelings, were thoroughly Spanish and Mexi- 
can. The title to the disputed territory was repeatedly 
asserted by the United States ; but all the claims of the 
latter to the country west of the Sabine, were sun'en- 
dered to Spain in 1819. The acquisition of Louisiana 
was followed by an influx of population from the 
northern states. Enterprise and industry soon altered 
the appearance of the rich lands in the valley of the 
Mississippi. Their value was enhanced to such an 
extent, that it attracted attention in Mexico, or New 
Spain, as it was then called. Texas possessed the 
same natural advantages ; yet, although it had been 
settled for so many years, the population amounted to 
but little more than 3000 in 1820 ; they had made but 
few improvements, and lived in perpetual dread of the 

undoubtedly a tedious one, as is always to be expected in a new coun- 
try, but the " desert" could hardly have been as cheerless and unpleasant 
as has been supposed. 

* Pike's Narrative — Kennedy's Texas -Parnham's Observations— 
Folsora's Mexico in 1842. 



COLONIZATION OF TEXAS. 31 

Indians prowling about their towns. On the 17th of 
January, 1821, Moses Austin, a citizen of the United 
States, obtained permission from the supreme gov- 
ernment of the eastern internal provinces of New 
Spain, to settle in Texas with a colony of his country- 
men ; and in December of the same year, his son, 
Stephen F. Austin, arrived on the river Brazos with the 
first settlers from the United States. These colonists, 
and those who afterwards joined them, have often been 
termed "speculators and adventurers;" but the same 
language might be applied, with nearly, if not quite as 
much propriety, to nine-tenths of the inhabitants of 
the valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries. Their 
energy and activity contrasted most favorably with the 
indolent habits and snail-like progress of the Spanish 
inhabitants, and in a few years changed the whole as- 
pect of the country. 

The Spanish population of Texas, it must be admit- 
ted, were not, at first, well disposed to the American 
settlers ; but the importance of strengthening them- 
selves against the Indian depredators on their northern 
frontier, and, subsequently, against the efforts of Spain 
to reconquer her revolted provinces, led to the adop- 
tion of measures designed to encourage and promote 
immigration from the United States, and from other 
countries. On the 4th of January, 1823, the Mexican 
Congress passed a national colonization law, which 
was approved by the Emperor Iturbide, and on the 
18th of February following, a decree was issued au- 
thorizing Austin to proceed with his settlement. After 
the abdication and overthrow of the emperor, this de- 
cree was confirmed by the first executive council, in 
accordance with the special directions of Congress. 
The federal constitution of Mexico, similar to that of 



32 JEALOUSY OF THE srAMARDS. 

the United States in all its essential features, was 
adopted on the 2nd of February, 1824, and on the 7th 
of May, the provinces of Texas and Coahuila were 
united into one state. This union was always unpop- 
ular, and was violently opposed by the Texans, though 
finally acquiesced in, as provision was made in the de- 
cree for giving a separate constitution to Texas, when- 
ever her population should be large enough to warrant 
it. A second general celonization law was passed by 
the Mexican Congress, in August, 1824, and in March, 
1825, a similar enactment received the assent of the 
Legislature of Coahuila and Texas. The most flatter- 
ing inducements were held out to foreigners to make 
settlements, and a strong current of immigration was 
soon turned in that direction. Texas rapidly increased 
in population and influence. The Spanish inhabitants 
became jealous of the increasing prosperity of its citi- 
zens, and the Centralistas were particularly alarmed, 
lest the federal doctrines of the American Union, upon 
which the Mexican constitution was professedly based, 
would acquire a permanent foothold, and put an end to 
all their hopes of effecting a change in the government. 
This feeling was increased by the dispute that ensued 
in relation to the question of slavery, which had been 
abolished by the constitution of 1824.* Many of the 
American settlers had brought their slaves with them 
from the United States, and large numbers were im- 
ported from other countries. The general government 
endeavored to check the increase of slavery; but the 

* It is a singular fact, that servitude for debt, one of the most odious 
forms of slavery, has continued to exist in Mexico. The victims of this 
eystem are caWed peons, and rarely, if ever, regain their freedom. From 
this circumstance it may fairly be inferred, that envy and jealousy 
prompted, in some degree, the proceedings in relation to slavery in Texas. 



TEIUMPH OF CENTRALISM. 33 

Texans insisted, as has always been contended by the 
slave states in the American Union, that it was a sub- 
ject wholly of municipal regulation. An attempt was 
made, however, to put an end to the immigration from 
the United States, by the passage of a law in the Mex- 
ican Congress, on the 6th of April, 1830, totally pro- 
hibiting the admission of American settlers into Texas. 
Military posts were established by the central govern- 
ment, and the civil authorities interrupted in the dis- 
charge of their duties under the state laws. These 
proceedings were regarded as being arbitrary and op- 
pressive in the extreme, and calculated to destroy the 
separate sovereignty guaranteed to Texas by the con- 
stitution and laws ; and the act of prohibition was 
openly evaded and disregarded. 

Centralism was temporarily estabUshed by Busta- 
mente in 1832, and the Texans took up arms in defence 
of the federal constitution. They captured the garri- 
sons at Velasco, Anahuac, and Nacogdoches ; but hos- 
tilities were soon after suspended by the defeat of the 
centralists, and the elevation of Santa Anna to the 
presidency. In the spring of 1833, the citizens of 
Texas held a convention at San Felipe de Austin, and 
adopted a constitution as a separate state, in conformity 
with the decree of the 7th of May, 1824. The popu- 
lation was now almost exclusively American, and their 
habits, feelings, associations, and ideas of government, 
were totally at variance with those of the citizens of 
other Mexican states ; yet they appear to have been 
willing to continue under the same federal head, pro- 
vided there was no interference with their internal af- 
fairs. Stephen F. Austin was commissioned by the 
Texan convention to present the constitution to the 

2* 



34 OVERTHROW OF THE CONFEDERATION. 

Mexican Congress, together with a petition for their 
admission into the Union. 

No attention was paid to the petition, and Austin 
wrote home to his friends to organize a government, 
notwithstanding the refusal to ratify the proceedings of 
the convention. His letter was intercepted, and he 
himself for a long time detained in confinement. The 
Texans were indignant ; but remonstrated in vain. 
While matters were in this situation, Santa Anna de- 
clared in favor of centralism. The northern provinces 
of Mexico refused to concur in the establishment of a 
consolidated government, until, one by one, they were 
forced to yield to the dictator. Zacatecas and Dur- 
ango stood out nobly, but they, too, were overcome by 
superior numbers. Having completed, as he supposed, 
the work of subjugation in the northern provinces, 
Santa Anna detached General Cos into Texas, with 
an armed force, to secure obedience to the central gov- 
ernment, to compel the observance of the act of 1830, 
and to secure the person of one Lorenzo de Zavala who 
had proposed a law in the Mexican Congress levelled 
against the monopoly of property by the clergy. He 
was also directed to deprive the people of their arms, 
in accordance with a decree of the general Congress 
made in 1834. The Mexican general dissolved the 
legislature of Coahuila and Texas at the point of the 
bayonet, and arrested all the officers of the government. 

One of the most sacred rights secured to the citi- 
zens of the United States by their constitution, is that 
of bearing arms ; and the act to disarm the population 
of Texas, in connection with the overthrow of the fed- 
eral government, very naturally created a desire for 
producing a revolution. The standard of revolt was 
at once raised. On the 28th of September they de- 



REVOLUTION IN TEXAS. 35 

feated a Mexican force at Gonzales, on the Rio Guada- 
lupe. The fortress at Goliad was taken in October, and 
a few days later the city of San Antonio de Bexar, the 
head-quarters of General Cos, was invested. They 
were also successful at Conception, Sepantillan and San 
Patricio, and in two battles fought in the vicinity of 
San Antonio. On the 5th of December the city itself 
was stormed, by a force of 300 men, under General 
Milam, and after five days' severe fighting. General 
Cos surrendei'ed himself and 1,300 Mexicans, who were 
afterwards set at liberty, on their parole of honor, not 
to oppose in any way, thereafter, " the federal constitu- 
tion of 1824." 

The delegates of the people of Texas assembled at 
San Felipe on the 3rd of November, 1835, for a "gen- 
eral consultation," and solemnly declared that they had 
taken up arms in defence of the federal constitution ot 
1824 ; that Santa Anna and his military chieftains had 
" dissolved the social compact which existed between 
Texas and the other members of the Mexican confed- 
eracy ;" and that they no longer felt themselves bound 
by the confederation, but would be willing to adhere to 
it if the provisions of the constitution were sacredly 
regarded. A temporary government was organized by 
the delegates, and a convention appointed to be held 
for the adoption of a constitution, on the 1st of March, 
1836. The central government of Mexico was de- ' 
termined effectually to subdue the revolted state, and 
General Santa Anna took the field in person, with 8,000 
troops. The cruelties practised under his directions, 
and in pursuance of his orders, awakened a most des- 
perate spirit of resistance, and on the 21st of April, 
1836, he was defeated and taken prisoner by an inferior 



36 CAPTURE OF SANTA ANNA. 

force under General Samuel Houston, upon the Danks 
of the San Jacinto. 

After his capture, the Mexican commander was per- 
mitted to visit the United States, though not yet abso- 
lutely released by the Texan authorities ; but he was 
subsequently allowed to return to Mexico, upon his en- 
tering into a convention, prescribing, among other 
things, the boundaries of Texas, and in which it was 
stated " that the President Santa Anna, in his official 
character as chief of the Mexican nation, and the Gen- 
erals Don Vincente Filisola, Don Jose Urrea, Don Jo- 
aquim Ramires y Sesma, and Don Antonio Gaona, as 
chiefs of armies, do solemnly acknowledge, sanction, 
and ratify, the full, entire, and perfect independence of 
the Republic of Texas, with such boundaries as are 
hereafter set forth and agreed upon for the same : and 
they do solemnly and respectively pledge themselves, 
with all their personal and official attributes, to procure, 
without delay, the final and complete ratification and 
confirmation of this agreement, and all the parts thereof, 
by the proper and legitimate government of Mexico, 
by the incorporation of the same into a solemn and 
perpetual treaty of amity and commerce, to be nego- 
tiated with that government at the city of Mexico, by 
ministers plenipotentiary to be deputed by the govern- 
ment of Texas for this high purpose." A copy of this 
document was forwarded to General Filisola, then at 
the head of 5,000 troops, the remains of the shattered" 
army of invasion. He concurred in its stipulations, 
anl was permitted, in accordance therewith, to retire 
with his forces west of the Rio Grande. The conven- 
tion also received the approbation of other Mexican 
officers, though never ratified by the government of 
ihat nation. It was expressly disallowed by the Con- 



BECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE. 37 

gress of Mexico, notwithstanding it was concluded by 
a chief magistrate exercising dictatorial power, and 
preparations were made, on several future occasions, 
for the re-invasion and subjugation of Texas. The 
troops of the Mexican republic entered her territories 
under Urrea in 1837, and under Woll in 1842, but were 
soon compelled to retire. The distracted state of the 
country prevented any further attempts to recover the 
province. The Texan convention assembled on the 
1st of March, 1836, and on the following day made a 
formal and absolute declaration of independence. A 
constitution was also adopted, and submitted tx) the 
people for their ratification. The government thereby 
organized went into operation,. and continued to exer- 
cise its powers until the year 1845. The government 
of the United States promptly recognized the independ- 
ence achieved at San Jacinto, and her example was 
imitated by all the other great powers of the world.* 

The citizens of Texas, having acquired that in- 
dependent position for which they had contended, nat- 
urally turned their eyes to the land of their nativity, 
around whose constitution and laws there clustered a 
thousand cheering and animating recollections. The 
S3'mpathies of a common origin, and a common tongue, 
were not obliterated. Their hearts yearned towards 
the homes of their brethren, and the burial-places of 
their fathers. They longed to return again to the fold 
which they had left, to be sheltered beneath " the flag of 
the stars," and enjoy the privileges and the institutions 
in which they claimed an interest, as the legacy of the 
same ancestry. The question of annexing the young 
republic to the United States was referred to the peo- 

• The reader is referred to Kennedy's Texas for a detailed account of 
the Revolution in Texas. 



38 PROPOSITION OF ANNEXATION. 

pie by the convention of 1836, and there was an al- 
most united vote in favor of the measure. In compli- 
ance therewith, a proposition to that effect was made 
by the Texan minister, on the 4th of August, 1837, which 
was declined by President Van Buren, upon the follow- 
ing grounds : that the acknowledgment of the independ- 
ence of Texas admitted her separate existence as a gov- 
ernment de facto, but not de jure ; that while a state of 
war continued between her and Mexico, and the United 
States remained at peace with the latter, the question 
of war with her adversary was necessarily involved ; 
and that the conditions of the existing treaty of amity 
and commerce should be scrupulously observed, so long 
as Mexico performed her duties, and respected the 
rights of the United States.* 

On the 14th of June, 1838, a resolution declaring 
that it was desirable to re-annex Texas, whenever it 
could be done with her consent, and consistent with 
the treaties, stipulations, and faith of the United States, 
was laid on the table in the Senate, by a vote of twenty- 
four to fourteen.! The subject was again agitated in 
the summer and fall of 1842, and instructions were giv^en 
to her minister, by the government of Texas, for the 
renewal of negotiations. No corresponding action was 
taken by the American Executive, and the instructions 
were withdrawn in August, 1843. Meanwhile, through 
the interposition of Great Britain, hostilities had been 
suspended by an armistice between Mexico and Texas, 

* Senate Doe. 341, (pp. 103, et seq.) 1st session, 28th Congress. — At- 
tempts were made to purchase Texas from Mexico, during the adminis- 
trations of John Quincy Adams, and General Jackson. Spain was 
then, ostensibly, at war with Mexico ; but it is supposed that measures 
would have been taken to secure her consent, although her rights at 
that time were merely nominal. 

•f Senate Journal: 1st session, 25th Congress. 



THE SLAVERY aUESTION. 39 

for the purpose of treating on terms of peace. Santa 
Anna insisted on regarding the latter as " a depart- 
ment of Mexico," which character had been appUed to 
all the Mexican states, on the abrogation of the federal 
constitution ; but the President of Texas refused to 
surrender, in any manner, her claims to be considered 
as a sovereign state under the confederacy, and the 
negotiations terminated in no satisfactory result. 

'A discussion took place in the British House of 
Lords, on the 18th day of August, 1843, between Lord 
Brougham and Lord Aberdeen, (Her Majesty's Prin- 
cipal Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs,) in rela- 
tion to the subject of Texas and Texan slavery, which 
occasioned considerable agitation and alarm in the 
United States. It was insisted that there was a de- 
sign on foot to abolish that institution in Texas ;* and 
that, if ca ried into effect, the property invested in 
slaves, in the southern states, would be rendered so 
insecure, that it must rapidly depreciate in value. In- 
structions were given to the American Minister in 
London, to call the attention of Lord Aberdeen to the 
subject, which was accordingly done. It appeared that 
the government of Great Britain had recommended to 
Mexico the acknowledgment of the independence of 
Texas, connected with the subject of the abolition of 
slavery ; but, as the former had given no encourage- 
ment to the suggestion, nothing had been done.f Lord 
Aberdeen also transmitted a dispatch to the British 
Minister at Washington, at a later date, but not until 
after it was known, or understood, in England, that the 
project of annexation had been again revived, which 

* By the provisions of the present Constitution of Texas slavery can- 
not be abolished, 
•f Letter of Mr. Everett to Mr. Upshur, November 16th, 1843. 



40 FOREIGN POLICY OF ENGLAND. 

was communicated to the Secretary of State of the 
United States, and in which it was denied that the 
British government had sought, in any manner, to es- 
tabhsh a dominant influence in Texas, or to disturb the 
tranquillity of the slave-holding states. The desire of 
Great Britain to promote the abolition of slavery in 
Texas, was admitted by her secretary, but he declared 
that she would not " seek to compel, or unduly con- 
trol," either her, or Mexico.* 

Much of the alarm manifested on this subject may 
have been unfounded, and t!ie facts do not warrant the 
conclusion, that the government of Great Britain in- 
tended to interfere directly in the matter. Still, it was 
for her interest to destroy the competition between the 
slave labor of the southern states, and the free labor 
of her West Indian colonies ; the Oregon question 
threatened to disturb her peaceful relations with the 
United States, and several of her leading journals 
called the public attention to the importance of Texas 
as a cotton growing state, and predicted her future in- 
dependence of the American Union, if she could secure 
the monopoly of that product in another quarter; and 
besides, the foreign policy of England has not always 
been of the most frank and open character. The pro- 
tection of an association of merchants in the East 
Indies, of a fur company in North America, and of the 
opium trade in China, furnished excuses for the exten- 
sion of her power and authority in those quarters of 
the globe ; and the philanthropic motives which she 
avowed, might have served a similar purpose in regard 
to Texas. Private individuals could have acquired 
interests in that country, which England would have 

♦ Senate Doc. 341, (p 48), 1st session, 28tli Congress. 



ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 41 

felt bound to protect, whenevei- the disputes and difTer- 
ences which would naturally have been engendered 
between the citizens of the slave states, and the inhab- 
itants of a free state on their borders, had placed them 
in jeopardy. These considerations may be wholly in- 
ferential ; yet they deserve to be regarded as of some 
weight, and especially so, because the security of the 
institution of slavery in the southern states, and the 
prevention of foreign interference with the republics 
of America, in connection with the advantages of the 
acquisition, in a commercial point of view, were the 
controlling reasons for the annexation of Texas.* 

In the meantime, a formal proposition for tlie conclu- 
sion of a treaty of annexation was made to the repub- 
lic of Texas, by Mr. Upshur, the American Secretary 
of State, under the direction of President Tyler, which 
was accepted. Commissioners were appointed, and a 
treaty concluded, at Washington, on the 12lh day of 
April, 1844. The treaty was submitted to the Senate 
of the United States, but was rejected by that body on 
the 8lh of June, after a long and animated discussion. 
At the ensuing session of Congress, the subject was 
again brought forward, and joint resolutions, providing 
for the annexation, were adopted on the 1st day of 
March, 1845. The people of Texas, represented in 
convention, signified their assent to the terms of the 
resolutions on the 4th of July, and adopted a state con- 
stitution. This was confirmed by the American Con- 
gress, and Texas finally aflmittcd into the Union as a 
state, on the 29th day of December, 1845. 

The proceedings of the government of the United 
States in relation to Texas, did not pass without notice 

* See diplomatic correspondence, Senate Doc. 341, 1st session, 28t.h 
Congress. 



42 PROTEST OF MEXICO. 

on the part of Mexico. On the 23rd of August, 1843, 
Mr. de Bocanegra, the Mexican Minister of Foreign 
Relations, officially informed Mr. Waddy Thompson, 
the American Minister in Mexico, that " the Mexican 
government [would] consider equivalent to a declara- 
tion of war against the Mexican Republic, the passage 
of an act for the incorporation of Texas with the terri- 
tory of the United States ; the certainty of the fact 
being sufficient for the immediate proclamation of war, 
leaving to the civilized world to determine with regard 
to the justice of the cause of the Mexican nation, in a 
struggle which it [had] been so far from provoking." 
The tone of a portion of the note of Mr. de Bocane- 
gra was harsh and dictatorial, and received a sharp re- 
proof from Mr. Thompson. A second note was writ- 
ten by the former, in September, which was more sub- 
dued in its character, and assured the American Envoy, 
that Mexico did not threaten, still less provoke or ex- 
cite ; but that she would " regard the annexation of 
Texas to the United States as a hostile act."* The 
same Mexican official, however, addressed a circular 
letter to the European ministers resident in Mexico, on 
the 31st of May, 1844, in which he pronounced the 
treaty of annexation, absolutely, " a declaration of war 
between the two nations." 

The Mexican Minister at Washington, General Al- 
monte, wrote a note to Mr. Upshur, on the 3rd of No- 
vember, 1843, protesting, in the name of his govern- 
ment, against the annexation, and declaring that, "on 
sanction been given by the Executive of the Union to 
the incorporation of Texas into the United States, he 
[would] consider his mission ended, seeing that, as the 
Secretary of State [would] have learned, the Mexican 

• Senate Doc. 311, (pp. 89 et seq.), 1st session, 23th Congress, 



DIPLOMATIC INTERCOURSE SUSPENDED. 43 

government [was] resolved to declare war so soon as it 
[received] information of such an act."* Santa Anna, 
then President of Mexico, made a similar announce- 
ment on the 12th of June, 1814, and expressed the de- 
termination of Mexico to re-conquer Texas. This an- 
nouncement was followed by a requisition for thirty- 
thousand men, and four millions of dollars, to carry on 
the war. Generals Canalizo and Woll were ordered 
to the north with an armed force, but accomplished 
nothing in the way of subjugation. On the 6th of 
March, 1845, General Almonte protested against the 
resolutions of annexation, and demanded his pass- 
ports, which were granted ; and on the 2nd of April, the 
American Minister in Mexico was refused all inter- 
course with that government, upon the ground, as 
stated by the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, 
that the government of Mexico could " not continue 
diplomatic relations with the United States, upon the 
presumption that such relations [were] reconcilable 
with the law" of annexation. President Herrera issued 
a proclamation on the 4th of June, 1845, declaring that 
the annexation in nowise destroyed the I'ights of Mex- 
ico, and that she would maintain them by force of 
arms. Two decrees of the Mexican Congress were 
affixed to this proclamation, providing for calling out 
all the armed forces of the nation.f 

* Senate Doc. 341, (p. 94), 1st session, 28th Congress. 

•f Apprehensions of a war growing out of the annexation seem to 
have been early entertained by President Tyler and his cabinet. On 
the 15th day of April, 1844, three days after the treaty was signed, con- 
fidential instructions were issued to Commodore David Conner, then in 
command of the Home Squadron, to concentrate his force in the Gulf, 
and show himself occasionally before Vera Cruz. He was also in- 
structed, if any armed force threatened the invasion of Texas, pending 
the ratification of the treaty, to remonstrate with the commanding officer, 



44 POSITION OF THB UNITED STATES. 

Under these circumstances the diplomatic intercourse 
between the two republics was interrupted, and a quasi 
state of war existed from the spring* of 1845, until the 
commencement of actual hostilities. 

The acknowledgment of the independence of Texas, 
admitted merely the fact of her separate existence as 
a nation ; but in annexing her territory, the American 
government went one step further. It was assumed 
that she was independent of right, and, therefore, ca- 
pable of treating, and being treated with, like all other 
powers. In October, 1843, Mr. Thompson, the minis- 
ter in Mexico, was instructed by Mr. Upshur, to inform 
that government, that the United States regarded Texas 
as an independent and sovereign power, and that, as 
she had " shaken off the authority of Mexico, and suc- 
cessfully resisted her power for eight years," they would 
" not feel themselves under any obligation to respect 
her former relation with that country."* The hostile 
demonstrations made by Mexico, for nine years after the 
battle of San Jacinto, were confined, with two excep- 
tions — when Urrea and Woll crossed the Rio Grande 
but were forced to retire — to the clandestine forays of 
rancherosf and Indians. Distracted by her intestine 

and assure him, that the execution of such a hostile purpose, in the 
event of the ratification, would lead to actual hostilities. Similar or- 
ders were issued on the 27th of April to Brevet Brigadier General Zach- 
ary Taylor, of the 1st Infantry, then in command of the first military 
department, and stationed at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, to which post he 
had been transferred but a few days previous. The force under his 
command was largely increased, and he was instructed to communicate, 
amfidentiaUy, with the President of Texas. — Senate Doc. 341, (p. 76), 
1st session, 2Sth Congress. 

* Senate Doc. 341, (p. 94), 1st session, 28th Congress. 

■f The ranckeros of Mexico were originally herdsmen, like the gunchos 
on the pampas of Buenos Ayres. They are small of stature, but wiry 
and muscular. Tiieir usual costume is quite picturesque; consisting 



EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE. 45 

divisions, Mexico lacked the means to recover the 
country, though her intention to do so was repeatedly 
declared. The predatory warfare* waged on her part, 
only served to demonstrate her utter inability to subdue 
the province, and an indirect admission to this effect was 
made by the offer in March, 1845, to acknowledge her 
independence, upon the condition that she would not 
annex herself, or become subject to any other country. 
Texas, on the contrary, had shown that she was able 
to resist every effort upon the land, and her vessels of 
war had spread terror and alarm in the Mexican ports 
on the Gulf. 

Adopting- the principle, then, that Texas was actually 
and rightfully independent, a treaty was concluded 
under the administration of President Tyler, without 
consulting the feelings or wishes of the Mexican gov- 
ernment. But a state of war nominally existed be- 
tween the two countries, and the relations of one party, 
in the event of the ratification of the treaty, were to be 
assumed by the United States. The latter was desirous 
of negotiating for the settlement of all questions in dif- 
ference, for the entire cessation of hostilities, and the 

of loose trowsers, green jackets slashed with yellow, broad-leafed hats, 
boots of untanned leatlier, and heavy spurs with long rowels. Most of 
their time is spent on horseback, and they throw the lasso with such 
dexterity as to catch wild horses or cattle, or even to drag a horseman 
from the saddle. During the war they acted as inegular cavalry, and 
in addition to their ordinary weapons, the lasso and hunting knife, were 
armed with long curved sabres and lances. They diil not, however, 
prove a very formidable body. Their covsrardice was so great, that 
they never ventured to attack anything like an equal force, and the 
wild shout of a " Texan Ranger" would scatter them like the leaves in 
a whirlwind. 

• Mr. Webster, as Secretary of State, in 1842, instructed the Ameri- 
can Minister in Mexico to call the attention of that government to the 
■manner in wh ch the war against Texas was prosecuted, as being to- 
tally opposed to the usages of civilized nation*. 



46 REFUSAL OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 

establishment of a boundary line, which was necessarily 
left undetermined during the existence of the war. 
Immediately after the conclusion of the treaty, the 
American Charge d'Affaires, by the direction of Mr. 
Calhoun, who had succeeded Mr. Upshur as Secretary 
of State, assured the Mexican government, that it was 
the desire of the President of the United States to settle 
all questions between the two countries, that might 
grow out of the treaty, " or any other cause, on the 
most liberal and satisfactory terms, including that of 
boundary ;" and that the boundary of Texas had been 
purposely left without specification in the treaty, so that 
it might be " an open question, to be fairly and fully 
discussed and settled, according to the rights of each, 
and the mutual interest and security of the two coun- 
tries,"* Shortly after this, an Envoy, (Mr. Shannon,) 
was sent to Mexico, with full and adequate powers to 
enter upon the negotiation. He, also, was instructed by 
Mr. Calhoun, on the 10th of September, 1844, " to re- 
new the declaration made to the Mexican Secretary 
by our Charge d'affaires, in announcing the conclusion 
of the treaty, that the measure was adopted in no spirit 
of hostility to Mexico, and that, if annexation should 
be consummated, the United States [would] be pre- 
pared to adjust all questions growing out of it, including 
that of boundary, on the most liberal terms."f Assur- 
ances of the same purport were made to General Al- 
monte, after the passage of the joint resolutions, by 
Mr. Buchanan, on the 10th of May, 1845. But Mexico, 
unmindful of the leniency which had so long been 

• Letter of Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Green— Senate Doc. 341, (p. 53), let 
session, 28th Congress. 

■j- Public Documents accompanying President's Message, 2nd session, 
28th Congress. 



THE BOUNDARIES OF TEXAS. 47 

exhibited towards her, and forgetting what courtesy, in 
view of this fact, appeared to require at her hands, would 
listen to no terms — would hear no propositions. All 
intercourse was suspended, and no other course re- 
mained for the government of the United States to 
pursue, but that of asserting her title to the territory 
acquired, by an armed occupation. The boundary was 
left " an open question," as stated by Mr. Calhoun, in 
the treaty of 1844, and the joint resolutions of annexa- 
tion asserted no claim to any territory except that 
" rightfully belonging" to Texas. Mexico chose not to 
enter into any negotiations on the subject of the boun- 
dary, and it was therefore necessary for the United 
States to decide for themselves, and to act upon that 
decision, until the matter was settled by negotiation. 

The political limits of Texas Proper, previous to 
the revolution, " were the Nueces river on the west ; 
along the Red River on the north ; the Sabine on the 
east ; and the Gulf of Mexico on the south."* The dis- 
solution of the Mexican confederacy, and her separa- 
tion from the other states composing the federal asso- 
ciation, gave her no greater extent of territory than 
what she already possessed ; and her title to all acces- 
sions made subsequent to the revolution, must rest upon 
conquest and occupation, or the assent, express or im- 
plied, of the Mexican government.! The advantage's 
of the Rio Grande as a great natural military obstacle, 

* Letter of H. M. Morfit, special agent sent by President Jackson to 
Texas. — House of Rep., Doc. 35, 2nd session, 24th Congress. 

•f The claim of the government of the United States, uniformly as- 
serted from 1803 to 1819, that Texas extended to the Rio Grande, is 
eoraetimes referred to in support of the title to that river. But it seems 
to deserve little consideration as an argument. The boundaries of 
Texas were fixed, vs'ith her consent and approbation, by the constitution 
of 1824, and we cannot well go back of that arrangement 



48 LAW OF CONGRESS. 

were so apparent to the Texan officers in 1836, that 
in the convention entered into with Santa Anna,* it 
was agreed that that river, from its mouth to its source, 
should constitute the south-western boundary of the 
country. But this agreement, or convention, was never 
officially confirmed by the Mexican government. He 
had, previous to his capture, exercised dictatorial pow- 
ers, and good faith might have required Mexico to ratify 
his acts, though she preferred to disavow them. Texas, 
however, decided to adhere to the Rio Grande as the 
boundary, and on the 19th of December 1836, an act was 
passed by her Congress, establishing that river, from its 
mouth up its principal stream to its source, as such boun- 
dary. From the source of the river, the line on the north 
and east was declared to be " as defined between the Uni- 
ted States and Spain." In compliance with a call of the 
Senate, pending the discussion on the treaty of 1844, 
President Tyler sent in a map of the country proposed 
to be ceded, upon which the boundaries, as above de- 
scribed, were marked in red lines.f The act of the 
Texan Congress was unrepealed, at the time of her final 
admission in 1845 ; the new constitution adopted, im- 
paired its validity in no respect, as it expressly provided 
for continuing all prior enactments in full force ; and on 
the 31st day of December, two days after she was admit- 
ted as a state, the Congress of the United States passed 
a law establishing " a collection district in the State of 
Texas," and Corpus Christi, west of the Nueces, was 
made a port of delivery, for which a surveyor was 
afterwards appointed. At the opening of the session, 
President Polk had informed Congress that the army 
had been " ordered to take a position in the country 

* See page 36. 

t Senate Doc. 341, let session, 28th Congress. 



NEW MEXICO. 49 

between the Nueces and the Del Norte, [Rio Grande],' 
and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory which 
might be attempted by the Mexican forces." No mea- 
sures were taken to recall any portion of the troops at 
this session, and at the following one a law was passed, 
establishing post-offices upon, and post-roads extending 
to the Rio Grande. These facts show, therefore, that 
the claim originally made by Texas to the left bank of 
the river, was adopted and asserted by the government 
of the United States, from the inception of the project 
of annexation, until and after the commencement of the 
war, with the following qualifications : — A willingness 
to negotiate upon the question of boundary was evinced 
by the terms of the joint resolutions, which provided for 
the annexation, subject to the adjustment, by the Uni- 
ted States, "of all questions of boundary that [might] 
arise with other governments ;" and, secondly, the claim 
to any territory east of the Rio Grande, and north of 
the ancient limits of Texas, was tacitly, if not expressly 
waived. 

The boundary claimed by Texas embraced a consider- 
able portion of the province of New Mexico, lying east of 
the Rio Grande, and containing a number of towns and 
a large population. This province was first visited by the 
Spaniards, under Vasquez Coronado, in 1540, who occu- 
pied the country until 1542, when they voluntarily evac- 
uated it. They revisited it again in 1583, and made 
some temporary settlements. The final subjugation of 
the country was effected by them, under their leader 
Onate, in 1595; twelve years before any permanent 
settlement had been made in North America, except 
by the Spaniards themselves, and long previous to Fa- 
ther Hennepin's voyage down the Mississippi. The 
Indians drove the Spaniards away in 1680, but they 

3 



50 CLAIM TO THE LOWER RIO GRANDE. 

returned in 1681, and after a long struggle succeeded 
in establishing their authority on a firm foundation. 
The French government did not claim any part of New 
Mexico, and the royal charter declared that province 
to be the western boundary of Louisiana. Texas never 
occupied tiie country, nor exercised any acts of sover- 
eignty there, and her claim could only have been found- 
ed upon the convention made with Santa Anna, which 
was hardly sufficient to support it. The government 
of the United States appears to have taken this view^ of 
the question. The same Congress that adopted the joint 
resolutions, passed a law allowing a drawback on for- 
eign merchandise re-exported in the original packages 
to " Santa Fe, in New Mexico," one of the towns situ- 
ated east of the Rio Grande, and the capital of the 
province. The instructions given to General Kearny, 
and the proceedings of that officer, are conclusive evi- 
dence that this portion of New Mexico was not re- 
garded as forming a part of Texas. She was treated 
as a conquered province, and President Polk in his an- 
nual message, in December, 1846, referred to Santa Fe 
as a captured town.* 

The claim of Texas, and subsequently of the United 
States, to the country lying between the Nueces and the 

* There is one fact, which deserves to be noticed in this connec- 
tion. The joint resolutions of annexation contained a proviso relat- 
ing to all that portion of the territory lying above the parallel of 3G^ 30' 
north latitude ; Texas proper did not extend above that parallel ; and 
hence it is urged, that Congress intended to claim the whole country 
east of the Rio Grande. Perhaps a majority of those who voted for 
the proviso had not examined the question with reference to that fact, 
and the line was intended rather to apply to the territory, if it should 
be obtained by negotiation, than to confirm a claim which had never been 
supported by possession or occupation. It may be doubted, whether 
Texas herself designed to insist upon her title to any part of New Mexico, 
in a negotiation for peace. It was the lower Rio Grande, from the 



ASSERTION OF TITLE. 51 

lower Rio Grande, appears to have been much better 
founded. The intention to insist upon that river as the 
boundary, was asserted in the convention with Santa 
Anna, which, if it had no other effect, operated as notice 
to Mexico of the extent of the claim. After it became 
known that Mexico would not ratify the convention, 
and that Urrea was preparing to invade Texas, General 
Rusk, then at the head of the Texan army, ordered 
General Felix Huston to take position, with a detach- 
ment, at Corpus Christi ; and the latter sent his scouting 
parties to the Rio Grande. At that time there were 
no permanent settlements on the left bank of the river, 
with the exception of a few ranches opposite Mier, Ca- 
margo, Reinosa, and Matamoras, the occupants of which 
had been engaged in herding and smuggling, but took 
refuge on the west side of the Rio Grande, upon the 
approach of Huston's troops. The great majority of 
the inhabitants retired to the rear of Rusk's army, in 
compliance with his orders. Urrea crossed the river 
but once, and soon returned. Although he had 10,000 
men at Matamoras, General Huston held in subjection 
the whole country to the Rio Grande, and his advanced 
corps traversed it at pleasure. In December, 1836, 
when the law prescribing the boundaries of Texas 
was passed, she was in possession of the disputed terri- 
tory, and her civil and political jurisdiction was ex- 
tended over it. Custom-houses, post-ofRces and post- 
roads, and election precincts, were established west of 
the Nueces. The county of San Patricio was laid out 
reaching to the Rio Grande. The public lands between 

Pass to the Gulf, which she desired to have as a boundary; and Judge 
ElHs, the President of the Texan Convention of 1836, and a member 
of the Congress of 183G-7, has said, that the chiim covered a large ex- 
tent of territor}', in order that there might he room to yield, if necessary. 



52 EXTENSION OF JURISDICTION. 

the two rivers were surveyed and sold, and all the evi- 
dences of grants and transfers of land, subsequent to the 
revolution of 1834, were entered among the records 
of Texas. Persons holding colony contracts made by 
the department of Tamaulipas, which was bounded on 
the east by the Nueces, prior to the revolution, voted 
at Corpus Christi under the laws of Texas.* Members 
of the Texan Congress were elected, who resided on 
the right bank of the Nueces, several years previous to 
the annexation ; and that part of Texas was also repre- 
sented in the Congress and the Convention by which 
the joint resolutions of 1845 were accepted. The col- 
lectoral district of Aransas was established by the first 
Congress, and extended from the mouth of the San An- 
tonio to the Rio Grande. Boats were repeatedly sent 
out by the collector to watch the coast, and reconnoitre 
the Laguna Madre, and the Brazos. In the fall of 
1838, when their ports were blockaded by the French 
fleet, the Mexicans landed a cargo of flour at a place 
about ten miles west of the present town of Corpus 
Christi, now called " Flour Bluffs" from this circum- 
stance, for the purpose of secretly conveying it across 
the country. The flour was destroyed, and the vessel 
seized under the orders of the collector of the district, 
for violating the revenue laws of Texas. 

In the spring of 1837, the Mexican rancheros again 
ventured across the Rio Grande to herd their cattle ; 
but they were immediately attacked by the Texan 
" cow-boys," as they were termed, and compelled to 
cross over to the right bank. Repeated efforts were 
made by the rancheros to establish themselves perma- 

* The place of voting was near the Nueces, and upwards of 150 
miles from the Rio Grande ; but a similar state of things has frequently 
existed in the western part of the United States. 



MILITARY ORGANIZATION AT LAREDO. 53 

nently, but the "cow-boys," though not acting under 
any positive orders of the Texan government, resisted 
every attempt, and during the desultory contests which 
took place, from 1837 to 1842, drove off nearly 80,000 
head of cattle. The Mexican authorities uniformly 
discountenanced the establishment of any permanent 
settlements north of the river, and the civil jurisdic- 
tion of the department of Tamaulipas was exerted but 
rarely, if at all, in that part of its ancient dominions. 
After the defeat of the federalistas, who revolted against 
the central government of Mexico in 1839, Generals 
Anaya and Canales, two of their leaders, crossed over 
the Rio Grande for protection. The latter united his 
forces with those of Captain Ross, of the Texan rangers, 
and a number of " cow-boys." They then crossed the 
river, and drove the Mexican army into Matamoras. 
Canales took shelter in Texas again, in 1840, when he 
was joined by Colonel Jordan, with near two hundred 
"cow-boys." They crossed the Rio Grande a second 
time, and penetrated as far into the country as Sal- 
tillo, where Canales betrayed his allies, who succeeded, 
however, in fighting their way back to the river. Af- 
ter the invasion and defeat of Woll in 1842, the Texan 
army drove him across the Rio Grande and took pos- 
session of Laredo. At this point there had been a 
military organization, previous to the revolution in 
Texas, which was in existence when the army of the 
United States marched to the Rio Grande. On ac- 
count of their liability to be attacked by the Indians in 
their vicinity, the inhabitants of Laredo were excepted 
from the operation of the act disarming the citizens of 
Coahuila and Texas ; but they claimed to belong to the 
latter whenever they were visited by Hays and McCul- 
loch's rangers, who frequently crossed over the conn- 



54 SETTLEMEXT AT POINT ISABEL. 

try from San Antonio, to that and other points on the 
river ; and Canales called them Texans, in one of his 
proclamations in 1846. They were, no doubt, of Mex- 
ican extraction ; but, although the authority exercised 
over them by Texas was somewhat questionable, still 
it was more decided than that of Mexico. Besides the 
settlement at Laredo, there were a few straggling huts 
at Point Isabel, near the Brazos Santiago, occupied by 
Mexican fishermen and smugglers. During the diffi- 
culty with France, and the war with Texas, the goods 
imported by the merchants at Matamoras were often 
landed at the Brazos, in order to escape the notice of 
the enemy's vessels lying off the mouth of the Rio 
Grande. An agent of the custom-house at Matamo- 
ras was sent down to the Point, to collect the duties 
before the goods were taken over the river; and a 
revenue officer was continued there until the approach 
of General Taylor with his army, whose main duty it 
was to prevent the smuggling constantly kept up, on 
account of the neglect of Mexico to occupy the coun- 
try. Had she supposed her title to be good, is it not 
likely that she would have taken more effectual meas- 
ures to protect her revenue than she actually did ?* 

The legal enactments of the Texas Cono;ress in re- 
lation to the boundary, could certainly give her no title 
to the disputed territoiy, except as they were supported 
by the military and civil authority which she exercised. 
She did not fortify the whole left bank of the Rio ' 
Grande, nor establish military posts at every prominent 
point on the Gulf; but her ability to drive the Mexi- 
cans from the territory, at pleasure, was demonstrated, 
and if private individuals returned there and estab- 

* The regular custom-house at the mouth of the Rio Grande was on 
the right bank of the river, near the Gi'lf. 



AUTHORITY EXERCISED BY TEXAS. 55 

lished themselves, it would seem to have been done 
merely by her sufferance. The authority exercised by 
Texas, in the valley of the Nueces, and upon its west- 
ern bank, including the settlement at Corpus Christi, 
was undoubted and undeniable. In the other part of 
the territory in dispute, there could not have been one 
hundred persons as late as 1844, and it cannot be said 
with justice, that the Mexicans then had any " actual 
possession or fixed habitation east of the Rio del Norte," 
between the Gulf of Mexico and " the mountainous 
barriers at the Pass,"* with the exception of what they 
might claim at Laredo and Brazos Santiago. Mr. 
Donelson, the American Charge d' Affaires, called the 
attention of the government of the United States, and 
of General Taylor, to the existence of these settle- 
ments, or posts, in the spring of 1845.t The latter 
was expressly instructed, when he entered the terri- 
tory, not to interfere with the establishments made' by 
Mexico, and to respect the rights and property of pri- 
vate citizens ; and it is unnecessary to say, that his 
orders were faithfully observed. 

But, in addition to these facts, Mexico herself, through 
her agents and officers, tacitly admitted the claim of 
Texas to the lower Rio Grande, on several occasions ; 
although, as a general thing, she made no distinction 
in regard to any part of the country between that river 
and the Sabine. Her claim extended to the whole of 
Texas, and the comparatively unimportant question of 
boundary was merged in the greater one of title. Al- 
ways insisting upon her right to every part and parcel 

* Memoir of Lieut. Emory: Senate Doc. 311, (p. 5G), 1st session, 
28th Congress. 

t Letters to Mr. Buchanan, June 30, and July 11 j— to General Tay- 
lor, June 2Sth, and July 7. 



56 ADMISSIONS OF MEXICO. 

of Texas, whenever, subsequent to the battle of San 
Jacinto, she adopted, either voluntarily or by compul- 
sion, a limit to the territory, all of which she regarded 
as having been forcibly and unjustly wrested from her, 
that limit was the Rio Grande. The southern and 
western bank of the river formed the outer limit of her 
military posts and fortifications. When her armies 
crossed it in force, the preparations made, the disposi- 
tions for tlie march, and the orders of the officers, 
showed that the movement was considered one of in- 
vasion ; and when compelled to retreat, they retired be- 
hind it as to a place of refuge. An armistice was en- 
tered into in 1813, in which it was stipulated that the 
Mexicans should confine themselves to the right bank 
of the river, and that the Texans should remain on the 
left bank. Tornel, the minister of war, in his letter 
dated July 7th, instructed General Woll, the com- 
mander-in-chief of the army of the noi'th, that hostili- 
ties against Texas were " to be immediately suspended 
at all points of the line under [his] command," and that 
he must withdraw to it his advanced parties.* The 
line commanded by General Woll was the Rio Grande ; 
and in his proclamation declaring the armistice at an 
end, he gave notice that every individual found one 
league from the river, on the east, would be looked 
upon as favoring " the usurpers of that territory," and 
be brought to trial before a court-martial, to be severely 
punished, if found guilty. Here, it seems, the Mexican 
general treated the question as one of usurpation, and 
admitted that the territory usurped extended to the 
Rio Grande. Canalcs, also, issued a pronunciamenlo 
against the government of Paredes, at Camargo, in 
February 1846, in which he described himself as being 
» Senate Doc. oil, (p. 84), 1st session, 2gth Congress. 



AMERICAN ADVANCE UNOPPOSED. 57 

"on the northern frontier."'* It is very questionahle 
\vhether ho would have used this expression, if, in his 
opinion, the actual frontier was the Nueces, from 150 
to 200 inilcs further north. The intention of General 
Taylor to advance to the Rio Grande was known long 
before his army commenced its march ; reconnaissances 
of the dilTerent routes by land and water, of Padre 
Lland, the Laguna Madre, and the Brazos, were made 
early in February, 1846; and the fact that a forward 
movement was in contemplation, had been commu- 
nicated by the Mexican officers on the frontier to their 
government. Notwithstanding this, no preparations 
were made to resist the approach of the American gen- 
eral, and he was induced, from the entire absence of 
such preparations, to believe that he would encounter 
no opposition. f The situation of the country afforded 
numerous opportunities for harassing the American 
troops on their march, and the passage of the Arroyo 
Colorado, if disputed, would have been attended with 
great loss. " This stream," says General Taylor, '■' is a 
salt river, or rather lagoon, nearly one hundred yards 
broad, and so deep as barely to be fordable. It would 
have formed a serious obstruction to our march, had 
the enemy chosen to occupy its right bank, even with 
a small force. "J 

The IMexican I^Iinister, Pena y Peiia, in his confiden- 
tial interview with Mr. Black, and in his note to that 
gentleman, insisted on the withdrawal of the American 
naval fores off Vera Cruz, previous to the reception of 

* House of Rap. Executive Doc. 19G, (p. lOG), 1st session, 29di Con- 
gress. 

t Letters to the Adjutant General, October 8th, 1815, and Fcbraaiy 
4th and 16th, 1846. 

:|: Letter to the Adjutant General, March 31, 184G. 



58 OCCUPATION NOT COMPLAINED OF. 

a minister, in order that his government might not even 
appear to act under an implied menace. General 
Taylor was then known to be at Corpus Christi, and in 
the actual occupancy of territory lying west of the 
Nueces ; but this was not made the subject of com- 
plaint, nor even thought worthy of mention. At no 
time did the government of Herrera pretend that the 
occupation of the disputed territory was one of the rea- 
sons for refusing to receive Mr. Slidell : neither did 
Castillo y Lanzas, the minister of Paredes, in his note 
communicating the final determination of the Mexican 
government, allege that the occupation, or the contem- 
plated advance to the Rio Grande, was the cause of 
the refusal.* Paredes once issued orders to attack the 
American army early in March, when the intentions 
of General Taylor were unknown ; and near the 
close of the month, when it was understood in Mexico, 
that he designed to advance, he issued a manifesto, 
declaring that the Mexican government would itself 
commit no act of aggression ; thus acknowledging that 
the United States had committed no new act of that 
character, otherwise it would certainly have been 
mentioned. Mexico undoubtedly considered every 
movement for the establishment of the authoi'ity of the 
United States as an act of hostility ; and in his procla- 
mation of the 23rd of April 184G, declaring that the 
war had been commenced, Paredes referred to the oc- 
cupation of Corpus Christi, the appearance of the naval 
squadrons in the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, the 
advance to the Rio Grande, and the blockade of the 
river, each and all, as so many aggravations of the orig- 
mal cause of ofience — the annexation of Texas. That 

* See Diplomatic Correspondence, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, 
st session, 29th Congresl 



EXCEPTIONS. 59 

act was the principal grievance, and the others but so 
many incidents. This idea also appears to have been 
entertained by the Mexican commissioners, Herrera, 
Conto, Villamil, and Atristain, who stated expressly, in 
their letter to Mr. Trist, on the 6th of September, 1847, 
that the war was " undertaken solely on account of the 
territory of the State of Texas."* 

Opposed to these admissions, direct or implied, of the 
Mexican authorities, are the proclamations and dis- 
patches issued by Mejia, Ampudia, and Arista, on the 
approach of General Taylor. All three of these gene- 
erals declared that the advance of his army Vv'as a hos- 
tile movement ; yet they appeared to differ with respect 
to the proper point to which the invading forces, as 
they were called, should be allowed to extend their 
occupation. Mejia announced, through his represen- 
tative, that the passage of the Arroyo Colorado would 
be regarded as an act of war ; Ampudia desired Gene- 
ral Taylor to retire beyond the Nueces ; and Arista 
insisted, that the law annexing Texas gave no right to 
occupy the Rio del Norte, without attempting to con- 
fine the American army to any precise limits. f The 
prefect of the northern district of Tamaullpas, Jenes 
Cardenas, also issued his protest, dated at Santa Rita, 
on the 23rd of March, against the occupation of any 
portion of the department ; but it must be remembered 
that the head-quarters of his prefecture were at Mata- 
moras, and it is doubtful whether he t ver exercised au- 
thority north of the Rio Grand t. Besides, General 
Taylor very properly regarded him as a mere tool of 

* Senate Exec. Doc. 20, (p. 9), 1st session, 30th Congress. 

t See Mejia's proclamation, dated March I8th, 1846; General Tay- 
lor's letter, March 21st; Ampudia's dispatch, April 12th; and Arista's 
proclamation to the foreigners in the American army, April 20. 



60 PREPARATIONS FOR INVADING TEXAS. 

the military authorities in Matamoras, and after the 
capture of that city, he proved himself to be as corrupt 
as he was pusillanimous.* 

The diplomatic relations between the United States 
and Mexico having been interrupted by the act of the 
latter, it was thought advisable to prepare for the 
prompt assertion of the claim of Texas to the left bank 
of the Rio Grande, as the only remaining alternative. 
Immediately on the issuing of the proclamation of the 
President of Texas, in April 1845, calling a convention, 
and an extra session of Congress, to take into considera- 
tion the joint resolutions of annexation, it was officially 
announced by the government of Mexico that prepara- 
tions for an invasion would be forthwith made.f Upon 
the receipt of this information, confidential instructions 
were issued fi'om the War Office of the United States, 
to General Taylor,' then in command of the forces at Fort 
Jesup4 to put himself in communication, at once, with 
the authorities of Texas, and the diplomatic agents of 
'the United States in that republic, and, after he should 
be advised that her convention had acceded to the 
terms of annexation, to employ his command in defend- 
ing her territories against foreign invasion, and Indian 
incursions. He was also instructed to regard the west- 

* In his interview with Colonel Twiggs, after the surrender of Mata- 
moras, the prefect entirely lost sight of his fellow citizens, for whom he 
had previously shown so much solicitude. Instead of looking to their 
comfort and well-being his first and last request was, that he might be 
allowed to retain his o fice. 

t Herrerawas then at tht head of affairs, he having overthrown Santa 
Anna in the fall of 1844. 

:j: General Taylor was instructed soon after the passage of the joint 
resolutions, viz: on the 21st of JMarch, 1845, to hold his troops in readi- 
ness to move into Texas. After the orders issued to him in the spring 
of 1844, and previou.s to his entering Texas, his command was knowa 
as the " army of observation." 



INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL TAYLOR. Gl 

em frontier of Texas, the llio Grande, as the point of 
his ultimate destination ; to select and occupy, on or 
near that river, such a position as would best consist 
with the health of the troops, and be best adapted for 
the protection and defence of the country ; but not to 
effect a landing on the frontier until the terms of an- 
nexation had been actually accepted. Additional orders 
were issued to him, at different times, before and after 
his arrival in Texas, to avoid all acts of aggression, 
unless an actual state of war should exist ; to extend 
his protection to the whole territory east of the Rio 
Grande, but not to disturb the Mexican forces at the 
posts in their possession, if any, on the east side of the 
river; to take position with a portion of his troops, at 
least, west of the Nueces ; to call upon the authorities 
of Texas for what auxiliary forces he might require, 
and, in his discretion in case of emergency, upon the 
respective governors of the states of Louisiana, Ala- 
bama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, for such 
number of volunteers as he deemed necessary ; and to 
regard the assembling of a large Mexican army on the 
borders of Texas, and the crossing, or attempting to 
cross, the Rio Grande, with a considerable force, as an 
invasion of the United States, and the commencement 
of hostilities. Other acts, such as committing depre- 
dations on the commerce of the United States, by the 
public armed vessels or privateers of Mexico, were to 
be considered by him in the same light ; and he was left 
to decide for himself as to any act of a similar char- 
acter, not enumerated, that might be committed. 
Should hostilities commence, he was instructed to act 
upon the offensive as far as his means would permit.* 

* See the instructions to General Taylor, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 
196. (pp. fiH, et seq.), 1st 6es.sion, 29th Congress. 



62 MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY. 

Simultaneously with the instructions to General Tay- 
lor, orders were issued to the naval force in the Gulf 
of Mexico, commanded by Commodore David Conner, 
to co-operate with the army ; and to the Pacific squad- 
ron, to be prepared for a state of war, and act accord- 
ingly. Officers of the corps of engineers, topographical 
engineers, and ordnance corps, were directed to repair 
forthwith to the army destined for the occupation of 
Texas ; the different bureaus were employed in pro- 
viding the maiei'icl for active operations ; and, in addi- 
tion to the ordinary complement of artillery and other 
arms, 11,000 muskets and rifles were forwarded to 
Texas, for the use of the auxiliary forces and volun- 
teers, if called into service, and subject to the orders 
of General Taylor. Such was the alacrity with which 
the preparations for war were made, that in a very few 
weeks one half of the disposable force of the army, and 
all it was then thought proper to withdraw from the nor- 
thern frontier and Atlantic coast, on account of the 
threatening aspect of our relations with Great Britain, 
was already established in Texas, or en route for Gen- 
eral Taylor's camp. 

With the promptitude which has always constituted 
a striking feature in his military character, General 
Taylor* proceeded, without delay, to carry out the in- 
structions and orders which he had received. His 
command was immediately put in motion. The terms 
of annexation proposed by the United States were duly 
accepted by Texas on the 4th day of July, 1845 ; and 

* This officer entered the army as a lieutenant in the 7th Infantry, 
in the year 1808. He served with great credit in the war of 1812, and 
the war with the Sacs and Foxes in 1832. Having been promoted to 
the command of a regiment, he joined the army in Florida, in 1836, and 
was brevetted a brigadier general for his gallantry and good conduct 
at the battle of Okee-chobee. 



THE CAMP AT CORPUS CHRISTI. 63 

on the 7th, her Congress and Convention requested that 
the army of the Union, to which she now belonged, 
might be employed for her protection. On the day af- 
ter receiving the information, which was to be the guide 
for his movements, General Taylor left New Orleans 
with his army, and arrived at the inlet of Aransas bay, 
on the 28th of July. The troops were temporarily 
landed on St. Joseph's Island, but afterwards transferred 
to Corpus Christi, on the bay of that name, and west 
of the Nueces, where a permanent camp and depot 
were established. The debarkation on this coast, from 
the shoalness of the water, and the prevalence of unfa- 
vorable winds, w'as not free from difficulties and em- 
barrassments, but they appear to have been overcome 
without any serious hinderance or obstruction. 

Having succeeded in landing his army, and establish- 
ing it in a secure position. General Taylor commenced 
a rigid system of instruction and discipline, which he 
found to be necessary in order to fit it for the active 
duties of the field. Many of the companies had been 
for a long time stationed at remote posts on the fron- 
tiers, and were wholly unacquainted with the evolu- 
tions of the line ; but, in a short time, every thing was 
changed, and the troops in the camp at Corpus Christi 
were probably the best disciplined corps which, prior to 
that time, had ever been collected on the continent. 
Nothing was neglected on the part of the commanding 
officer of the " army of occupation," to perfect its disci- 
pline, and to increase its efficiency. Every attention 
was paid to the health and comfort of his command ; 
and the idea at all times uppermost in his mind appears 
to have been, to prepare it for any emergency, and 
to enable it, when the time came for action, to strike 
i;)romptly, and with effect. 



64 KEN'EWED EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE. 

Soon after his arrival at Corpus Christ!, General Tay- 
lor's army was strengthened by the arrival of the rein- 
forcements which had been ordered to join him, and 
early in the autumn, his force amounted to upwards of 
4,000 men, all regular troops. In addition, he mustered 
into the service of the United States, several companies 
of Texan rangers, some of which were stationed at San 
Antonio, and others at Austin. 

C In the meantime the Mexican government had not 
been idle. The determination avowed by Herrera to 
invade Texas was not a mere threat. Efforts were 
made to increase the army, and provide the means for 
carrying on the war. The embarrassed condition of 
the finances prevented the immediate accomplishment 
of the wishes of the government, although General 
Arista was ordered from Monterey to Matamoras, in 
the month of August, with a force of 1,500 men, to re- 
inforce the troops already in that quarter, then about 
500 strong. Later in the season, between eight and 
nine thousand men were assembled at San Luis Potosi, 
under General Paredes, then in command of the army 
of the north. 

In the month of September, 1845, information was 
received from Mexico, which rendered it probable that 
the government of that country would be willing to re- 
store her former diplomatic relations with the United 
States. Accordingly, Mr. Black, the American Consul 
at the city of Mexico, was instructed by Mr. Buchanan, 
the Secretary of State, to ascertain whether the Mexi- 
can government would receive an envoy, " intrusted 
with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute be- 
tween the two governments ;" and if the reply to his 
inquiry should be in the affirmative, he was informed 
that "such an envoy" would be "immediately dis- 



CONSENT TO RECEIVE A MINISTER. 65 

patched to Mexico." A confidential interview took 
place between Mr. Black and Peiia y Peiia, the Mexi- 
can Minister of Foreign Relations, in which the sub- 
stance of the dispatch received from his government 
was made known by the American Consul ; and on the 
13th of October, he addressed an official note to the 
Mexican Minister, communicating the instructions he 
had received, in the precise terms of the letter of Mr. 
Buchanan, as before quoted. On the 15th of October, 
Pena y Pena informed Mr. Black, in writing, that his 
government was "disposed to receive the commissioner 
of the United States," who might come " with full pow- 
ers" " to settle the present dispute in a peaceful, reason- 
able, and honorable manner ;" but requested, as a pre- 
liminary step to negotiation, that the naval force in 
sight of Vera Cruz should be recalled. Great secrecy 
was observed by Pena y Pena in his communications 
with Mr. Black, and the guarded language employed in 
his note shows that the Mexican government designed, 
at that time, to lay the foundation for a refusal to com- 
ply with the terms of the proposition which they pro- 
fessed to accept, although it positively precluded the 
idea of any negotiation except in relation to all causes 
of difference between the two countries. The offer to 
send a minister was made in a frank and honorable 
manner, and presumed to have been accepted in a sim- 
ilar spirit ; and hence no notice was taken of the appa- 
rent discrepancy between the terms of the proposition 
as made by the American government, and as accept- 
ed by the Mexican Minister. Herrera, the President 
of Mexico, had always been regarded as a firm and 
decided federalist, and was supposed to be favorable to 
an amicable settlement of the differences with the 
United States. Previous to his elevation to the Presi- 



■06 TIMIDITY OF HERBERA. 

dency, he manifested considerable spirit and determi- 
nation, and succeeded in overthrowing Santa Anna, 
only after a long and desperate struggle ; but the very 
moment he entered upon the administration of the gov- 
ernment, and when prompt and vigorous measures 
were necessary to maintain his authority, he began to 
waver and hesitate. Among his supporters, in opposi- 
tion to Santa Anna, was a small, but influential faction 
of monarchists, headed by Paredes ; and, being desir- 
ous of conciliating them, he doubted the expediency of 
carrying out the federal doctrines which he had previ- 
ously avowed. His timidity displeased many of his 
warmest friends, and they became lukewarm in his sup- 
port ; while the monarchists managed silently to secure 
the control of the army, at all times potential in Mexico, 
which a single prompt movement on his part would 
have effectually prevented. 

Jealousy, suspicion, and distrust, were manifested by 
all classes and parties in Mexico, at the time when the 
proposition to resume her diplomatic relations with the 
United States was received arid accepted. The ar- 
rangement, however, was approved by the Mexican 
Congress in secret session ; the American naval force 
off Vera Cmz was withdrawn ; every thing wore a 
promising aspect ; and towards the close of October, 
the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations expressed 
some anxiety to know when the envoy from the United 
States might be expected. The American Executive, 
immediately upon the receipt of Mr. Black's dispatches, 
appointed Mr. John Slidell as Minister Plenipotentiary 
to the Government of Mexico, and gave him full in- 
structions and powers to settle and adjust all differences 
between the two countries.* Mr. Slidell arrived at 

• la his annual message ia December 1845, President Polk stated 



ARRIVAL OF TUE AMERICAN ENVOY. 67 

Vera Cruz on the 30th of November, and hastened for- 
ward, immediately, to the city of Mexico. At Puebla 
he was met by Mr. Black, who informed him that the 
Mexican government were alarmed by his arrival at 
such an inopportune moment, as they had not expected 
him until the 1st of January, and matters had not been 
prepared for his reception. The first intimation re- 
ceived by Mr. Black, that the time of the arrival of an 
envoy was deemed of any importance, was on the 3rd 
of December, in an interview with Pena y Pena, and 
he had hastened from Mexico to meet Mr. Slidell, and 
communicate with him before he reached the capital. 
It appeared that the administration of Herrera had 
been constantly growing weaker and w^eaker. Instead 
of seizing, into his own hands, the means which might 
have enabled him to control the turbulent government 
over which he was placed, he suffered them to be used 
for his own destruction. Finesse and management 
were resorted to, when nothing could have so much 
strengthened his administration, as promptitude, firm- 
ness, and decision. Early in November he began to 
be seriously alarmed ; the fidelity of Paredes was sus- 
pected ; and orders were issued for him to break up his 
cantonment at San Luis, and to scatter the troops in 
different parts of the country. Herrera and his minis- 
ters were probably well disposed to the United States, 
but their indecision was followed by its legitimate re- 
sults ; and wlien Mr. Slidell presented himself, they at- 
tempted to bolster up the tottering administration, by a 
refusal to receive him. The arrival of an envoy from 
the United States was a matter that it was impossible 

that he did not think it advisable to iccommend any " ulterior measures 
of redress," in consequence of the favorable change in our relations with 
Mexico. — See letter of instructions to Mr. Slidell, November 10, 18-45. 



g^ REVOLUTIONARY PROJECTS. 

to conceal, after he had once landed ; the evil which 
might easily have been prevented, if the Mexican gov- 
ernment had but intimated the necessity for delay, was 
past all remedy ; and Mr. Slidell concluded to continue 
his journey to Mexico. 

The fact that the administration of Herrera had 
' consented to receive a minister, was known long pre- 
vious to the arrival of Mr. Slidell, although the pronun- 
ciamento of Paredes against the government, issued at 
San Luis, did not appear until the 15th of December. 
For several weeks before Mr. Slidell reached Mexico, 
the monarchists and centralists in the capital were very 
busily engaged in preparing the plan of their antici- 
pated movement. An outbreak was regarded as a 
matter of certainty, unless the administration took 
measures to prevent it. On the second day after his 
arrival in Mexico, Mr. Slidell addressed a letter to the 
Mexican Minister, dated the 8th of December, inform- 
ing him of his arrival, and desiring to know when his 
credentials would be received and himself accredited. 
No answer was returned to this communication ; and 
in two private interviews between Mr. Black and Pena 
y Pena, held on the 8th and 13th of December, the 
latter exhibited so many symptoms of a desire to evade 
a compliance with the terms of the proposition which 
the Mexican government had accepted, that Mr. Slidell 
wrote a second note, on the 15th of the month, request- • 
ing to know when he might expect a reply to that pre- '. 
viously written. On the following day he was in- 
formed by Pena y Pena, that there had been difficul- 
ties in regard to his reception, which it had been found 
necessary to submit to the council of government for 
their determination. The difficulties alluded to were — 
that Mr. Slidell's appointment had not received the 



DUPLICITY AND BAD FAITH. 69 

sanction of Congress, or been confirmed by the Senate ; 
and that the Mexican government had consented to 
receive a commissioner to settle the question relating 
to Texas, but not a resident minister. These objec- 
tions were evidently mare pretences, as the only argu- 
ment urged against the administration, by Paredes and 
his supporters, was, that it had consented to receive a 
minister, and listen to a proposition for opening new 
negotiations. This was the only question involved, as 
admitted by Herrera himself, in a letter written to Pa- 
checo. Minister of Foreign Relations, on the 25th of 
August, 1847.* The bad faith of the Mexican admin- 
istration in this transaction was subsequently exhibited 
in a most unenviable light, by the publication of a com- 
munication made to the council of government by 
Pena y Pena, in his official capacity, on the 11th of 
December, at the very time when he was professing so, 
much friendship towards Mr. Black and Mr. Slidell, 
in which the refusal to receive the minister was recom- 
mended in positive and express terms. f The delibera- 
tions of the council, though nominally secret, were 
matters of public notoriety. Its members were well 
known to be decidedly opposed to the reception, and, 
on the 18th of December, their dictamen advising 
against it was made public. Information of this fact, 
and of the evident want of frankness and candor on 
the part of Herrera's administration, in their inter- 
course with him, was communicated by Mr. Slidell, on 
the same day, to the government of the United States. J 
The dispatch of Mr. Slidell was received on the 
,12th day of January, 1846, and on the succeeding day 

• Senate Exec. Doc. 1, (p. 41), 1st session, 30th Congress. 

t House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, (p. 49), 1st session, '29tli Congress. 

X Ibid. (pp. 18, et seq.) 



70 GENERAL TAYLOR ORDERED TO ADVANCE 

General Taylor was instructed to advance and occupy, 
with the troops under his command, positions on or 
near the east bank of the Rio Grande, as soon as it 
could be conveniently done; and several vessels of war 
were ordered to reinforce the squadron in the Gulf. 
He was also directed not to enforce the common right 
to navigate the river, without further orders, or treat 
Mexico as an enemy, until she should assume that 
character; but if any open act of hostility should be 
committed, he was not to act merely on the defensive, 
if the means at his disposal enabled him to do other- 
wise. In every possible event, he was required to pro- 
tect private property, and respect the personal rights 
and religion of the Mexican people. Texas having 
been duly admitted into the Confederacy, he was fur- 
ther authorized to make a requisition on the governor 
of that state, for such of its militia force as might be 
necessary.* 

The American army encamped at Corpus Christi, 
during the pendency of negotiations, had been con- 
stantly engaged in perfecting its discipline, and pre- 
paring for the field. Occasional rumors were heard, 
of the concentration and movement of he enemy's 
forces towards the frontier, and now and then a report 
would reach the camp that an invasion was to be ap- 
prehended. The idle stories put in circulation created 
no uneasiness in the breast of General Taylor ; he 
never distrusted his ability to maintain his position, or 
to make a forward movement, if required so to do ; and 
so far was he from apprehending any danger, and so 
confident that he might rely under all circumstances 
on the brave men under his orders, that he informed 
the adjutant general on the 2Gth of August, 1815, that 
* House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, (pp. 77. et seq.) 1st sess., 29th Cong 



THE ORDERS MADE PUBLIC. 71 

he considered his command "fully adequate to meet 
any crisis that might arise." Early in that month, a 
rumor had reached New Orleans in regard to the 
march of troops from the interior of Mexico, which 
had been magnified to such an extent, that it produced 
no little consternation and alarm. General Gaines, 
who was then in command of that military division, 
immediately mustered a volunteer battalion of artil- 
lery into the service of the United States, and sent 
them to reinforce General Taylor. Their arrival pro- 
duced some little surprise in the camp at Corpus Christi, 
as the general in command had not required their ser- 
vices. In consideration of their alacrity in obeying 
the call of General Gaines, who was determined not 
to have the army suffer any reverse if it could be 
prevented, the Louisiana volunteers were retained 
until the expiration of the term allowed by law for their 
enrolment ; and General Taylor requested that there- 
after no militia force should be sent to him without his 
requisition.* 

The instructions issued to General Taylor to move 
forward to the Rio Grande, were received on the 4th 
of February. Reconnoitering parties were at once 
thrown out, and examinations made of the different 
routes to the river, by land and water. The fact that 
he intended to advance to the Rio Grande was com- 
municated to some citizens of Matamoras, who visited 
his camp in Febru?"}-, to dispose of some mules. He 
stated to them, that the movement was not intended to 
be a hostile one ; that the Mexicans living on the east 
side of the river would not be disturbed in any way ; 
that every thing required for the use of the army would 

* Sec correspondence, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, 1st session, 
29th Congress. 



TS PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARCH. 

be purchased at a fair price ; and that, in no case would 
he go beyond the Rio Grande, unless hostilities were 
commenced by Mexico. Similar sentiments were ex- 
pressed to the Custom-house officer at Brazos Santi- 
ago, by Captain Hardee, the officer who commanded 
the escort covering the i-econnaissance of Padre Island. 
The American troops were also commanded, in general 
orders, to refrain from the commission of any act of 
hostility, and to observe the rights and respect the re- 
ligion of the Mexican people.* Every thing being in 
readiness for the march, a depot of forage and subsist- 
ence was thrown forward to the Santa Gertrudes, 
about forty miles from Corpus Christi, on the 28th of 
February, and on the 8th of March, the advance brig- 
ade of the main army, consisting of the cavalry and 
Major Ringgold's light artillery, the whole under the 

• The following is a copy of the order issued by General Taylor pre- 
vious to his march from Corpus Christi, copies of which, translated into 
Spanish, were sent in advance, and distributed in all the MexiL'an towns 
on the right bank of the river. The terseness and vigor of General 
Taylor's style, as illustrated in his dispatches and orders, ehcited uni- 
versal admiration : 

" The army of occupation of Texas being now about to take a posi- 
tion upon the Icfl bank of t!ie Rio Grande, under the orders of the Ex- 
ecutive of the United States, the general-in-chief desires to express the 
hope that the movement will be advantageous to all concerned ; and 
with the object of attaining this laudable end, he has ordered all under 
liis command to observe, with the most scrupulous respect, the rights of 
all the inhabitants who may be found in peaceful prosecution of their 
respective occupations, as well on the left as on the right side of the Rio 
Grande. Under no pretext, nor in any way, will any interference be 
allowed with the civil rights or religious privileges of the inhabitants ; 
out the utmost respect for them will be maintained. 

" Whatsoever may be needed for the use of the army will be bought 
by the proper purveyor, and paid for at the highest prices. The gen- 
eral-in-chief has the satisfaction to say that he confides in the patriotism 
and discipline of the army under his command, and that he feels sure 
ihat his orders will be obeyed with the utmost exactness." 




CIEN TWIGGS. 



HEFUSAL TO EECEIVE MR. SLIDELL 73 

command of Colonel Twiggs,* left the encampment. 
The two brigades of infantry followed in succession, the 
last leaving Corpus Christi on the 1 1th. General Taylor 
and stafl' accompanied the rear brigade. The steamers 
and transports, containing the provisions and supplies 
for a depot to be established at Point Isabel,! the siege 
train and field battery, together with a company of ar- 
tillery and the engineer and ordnance officers, com- 
manded by Major Munroe, left Corpus Christi at the 
same time, under convoy of the brigs of war Porpoise 
and Lawrence, and the revenue cutter Woodbury. 

Meanwhile, the anticipated revolution had taken 
place. Mr. Slidell waited two days after the publica- 
tion of the dictamen of the council of government, in 
the expectation of receiving a reply to a note he had 
addressed to Pena y Peiia, on the 16th of December, 
desiring to be informed what were the difficulties in the 
way of his reception. Having received no communi- 
cation from the Mexican Minister, he wrote a second 
note on the 20th instant, to which a reply was returned 
on the same day, communicating the positive determi- 
nation of the Mexican government not to receive him. 
This decision was made too late to save the adminis- 
tration. Its want of firmness and decision was so mani- 
fest, that the military in the capital pronounced in favor 
of the revolutionists on the 29th of December, and on 

* General David E. Twiggs entered the army in 1812, as a captain 
in the 8th Infantr}^ and served during the war. He also acted under 
the orders of Generals Gaines and .Jackson during the Seminole war, 
and rendered efficient services in the difficulties with the Sacs and Foxes, 
and the Florida Indians. He was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Dra- 
goons on the 8lh of July, 183G, and promoted to the rank of brigadier 
general on the 30th of June, 184G. 

f Point Isabel lies north-east of the island of Brazos, on the opposite 
side of the Laguna Madre. The 'illage at the Point was called by the 
Mexicans, Frontone. 

4 



74 OVERTHROW OF HERRERA. 

the following day Herrcra resigned the presidency, 
without making a single effort to quell the outbreak. 
The tide had been turned for months, and he lacked 
the courage to stem it for an instant. Paredes entered 
the city with his troops, in triumph, on the 2nd of Jan- 
uary, and on the next day was chosen provisional Pres- 
ident. Soon after he was elected to the same office, by 
the Constituent Congress. He had come into power for 
the avowed purpose of putting an end to all negotia- 
tions with the United States, and of declaring and carry- 
ing on an offensive war. The desire to establish him- 
self firmly in his place rendered him loth to remove 
the army to a distance, and no immediate measures of 
hostility were adopted. In a short time after his eleva- 
tion, the establishment of a monarchy in Mexico was 
suggested by some of his most intimate friends. This 
movement proved to be unpopular, and prevented his 
obtaining the necessary loans for the support and in- 
crease of the army. The condition of the relations 
between the United States and Great Britain also boded 
war, and he was quite willing to wait and see the for- 
mer engaged with a more powerful antagonist, before 
venturing to cope with her forces single-handed. Mr. 
Slidell had retired to Jalapa in February, to await the 
termination of the revolutionary contest in Mexico. As 
an entirely different government had been established, 
after the country became more quiet, he addressed a 
note, on the 1st of March, to the new Minister of Foreign 
Relations, Castillo y Lanzas, calling his attention to the 
subject of his reception, and requesting to know the 
views of the new administration in regard to the ques- 
tion. He was informed, in reply, by the note of the 
minister, written on the 12th, that he could not be re- 
ceived as a resident minister, and similar reasons were 




GEN. PAREDES. 



MARCH FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. 75 

given for the refusal lo those previously expressed by 
Pena y Pefia. In consequence of this final rejection of 
the offer to negotiate, Mr. Slidell requested the neces- 
sary passports, and, in a few days, set out on his return 
to the United States.* The Mexican government imme- 
diately commenced making preparations for war. Loans 
were obtained, arms and supplies provided for the army, 
and its numerical force augmented ; and on the 4th of 
April, positive orders were issued to the officers com- 
manding on the northern frontier, to attack the Ameri- 
can troops. 

The march of the American army from Corpus 
Christi, was not obstructed by the Mexicans. Small 
armed parties were occasionally seen in the distance, 
who disappeared on the approach of the advancing col- 
umns of General Taylor's force. For a few miles from 
their late encampment, the roads were found to be in 
good order; but further in the interior, the country 
presented a more unfavorable appeai'ance. It was for 
the most part unbroken, but either low and marshy, or 
dry and sandy, with here and there a stretch of prairie 
land, covered with thick matted grass, and dotted at 
intervals with muskeet bushes, and clumps of chaparral. 
The route was toilsome and fatiguing, yet the soldiers 
bore every hardship without a murmur or complaint. f 
On the 19th of March, the advanced corps halted within 
three miles of the Arroyo Colorado, in order to effect 
a concentration of the force preparatory to crossing the 
stream, the passage of which, it was thought, might be 

* See Diplomatic Correspondence, House of Rep. Doc. 19G, 1st ses- 
Kion, 29th Congress. 

f The distance from Corpus Christi to Matamoras, according to the 
route pursued by the American army, was 163 miles — to Point Isabel, 
160. 



76 PASSAGE or THE ARROYO COLORADO. 

disputed. A reconnaissance was made of the ford, when 
a party of rancheros were discovered on the right bank, 
who signified to the officer in command, that an attempt 
to pass the river would be considered an act of hostility. 
General Taylor promptly made his dispositions to cross 
under fire. A road was opened down the bank of the 
river, and early on the morning of the 20th, the cavalry 
and first brigade of infantry advanced towards the ford, 
while the batteries of field artillery were so placed as 
to sweep the opposite shore ; the port-fires were lighted, 
and every preparation made for action. The ranche- 
ros again appeared, and stated to Captain Mansfield, 
who was sent to communicate with them, that they had 
positive orders to fire on the Americans if they endeav- 
ored to cross the river. A second party now came up, 
at the head of which was a person who represented 
himself to be the adjutant general of the Mexican troops., 
though he was afterwards discovered to be a private 
citizen of Matamoras.* He, too, said he had peremp- 
tory orders to fire upon the Americans, and that the 
passage of the river would be considered as a declara- 
tion of war. A proclamation issued by General Mejia, 
the Mexican commander at Matamoras, on the 18th 
instant, was also presented by him, in which a similar 
announcement was made. 

Orders were now given by General Taylor to pro- 
ceed witli the passage ; and the enemy notified not to 
obstruct it in any manner. The second brigade of 
infantry was formed on the right, and the crossing 
commenced. Not a gun was fired, and the Mexicans 
retreated in the direction of Matamoras. The whole 

* In reply to a question put to him, this individual admitted that the 
order of General Taylor announcing the spirit in which he proposed to 
occupy the country, had been received at Matamoras. 




GENL. WILLIAM J. WORTH. 



ARRIVAL AT POINT ISABEL. 77 

army passed the river, with their wagon trains, entirely 
unmolested, and pursued their march towards the Rio 
Grande. A few ranchcros were seen on the route, but 
did not approach within hailing distance. On the morn- 
ing of the 24th, General Taylor halted at a point on the 
road from Matamoras to Point Isabel, about eighteen 
miles from the former and ten from the latter. Gen- 
eral Worth* was then ordered to advance with the in- 
fantry brigades on the Matamoras road, until he came to 
a suitable position for an encampment, where he would 
halt his command, and await the return of General Tay- 
lor, who proceeded to Point Isabel with the dragoons, 
to meet the transports and establish a depot. Under- 
standing that a Mexican force had taken possession of 
the village of Frontone, he determined not to molest 
them. While on his way to the Point, he was met by 
a civil deputation from Matamoras, who desired an 
interview. They presented to him a formal protest 
against the occupation of the country, signed by the 
prefect of the northern district of Tamaulipas. He 
had not time to make his reply, when the buildings at 
Frontone were discovered to be on fire. Believing that 
he had been trifled with, and considering the destruc- 
tion of property on disputed territory as an open act 
of hostility, he informed the deputation that he would 
answer them on his arrival opposite Matamoras, which 
he afterwards did. 

• General William J. Worth joined the army as private secretary to 
General Lewis, in 1812. He afterwards obtained a commission, and 
acted as aid to General Scott, in the memorable battles of Chippewa 
and Niagara. He was appointed Colonel of the 8th regiment of in- 
fantry, on the 7th of July, 1838. The war with the Seminole Indians 
in Florida was brought to a close through his instrumentality, and his 
services were rewarded in 1842, with the brevet of brigadier general. 
The additional brevet of a major general was conferred on him for hi« 
gallant services in Mexico. 



78 THE RIO GRANDE. 

Colonel Twiggs hastened forward with the dragoons, 
to extinguish the flames and capture the incendiaries. 
On their arrival, they found but two or three inoffensive 
Mexicans in the village ; the remainder having fled at 
their approach. The fire, which appeared to have been 
the work of the port captain, under the orders of Gen- 
eral Garcia, consumed but three or four houses before 
it was arrested. On reaching the Point, General Tay- 
lor was gratified to find that the steamers and trans- 
ports had just arrived in the harbor. A depot was 
established, and defences thrown up for its protection, 
in pursuance of his directions; he then set out to re- 
join General Worth, leaving Major I\Iunroe in com- 
mand, with two companies of artillery. 

On coming up with the main body of his army, Gen- 
eral Taylor again ordered the march to be resumed. 
and arrived opposite Matamoras, on the 28th of March, 
without meeting any resistance. Two of his dragoons, 
sent forward from the advanced guard, were captured by 
the Mexicans, but were subsequently released. On his 
approach to the river, great excitement appeared to be 
produced in the city of Matamoras ; troops were moved 
to and fro, and batteries prepared to command his posi- 
tion. Being desirous of announcing, in due form, the 
object of his advance to the river, and of affording an 
opportunity of establishing friendly intercourse, a white 
flag was exhibited on the left bank, under his orders. 
A communication was opened with the Mexican offi- 
cers, and General Worth w^as dispatched, with his staff, 
across the river, as the bearer of a communication to 
General Mejia, informing him of the desire of General 
Taylor for amicable relations, and his willingness to 
leave the port of Brazos Santiago open to the citizens 
of Matamoras, until the question of boundary should 



INTERVIEW BETWEEN WORTH AND I,A VEGA. 79 

be definitely settled. An interview with General Mejia 
was refused, but General Worth was met on the right 
bank of the river, by General La Vega, who was at- 
tended by the Licenciado Casares, representing the 
civil authorities of Matanioras, and several other per- 
sons. The dispatch of General Taylor was read to Gen- 
eral La Vega, who was also told by General Worth, 
that he was directed to deliver it to the commanding 
officer at Matamoras. This was refused ; whereupon 
General Worth, having been informed that the Ameri- 
can consul was at liberty, and in the exercise of his 
official functions, demanded an interview with him, in 
/he name of his government. The demand was not 
complied with, and the American general returned, and 
reported the result of his mission to General Taylor.* 

* The following extracts from the minutes of the interview between 
Generals Worth and La Vega, show^ with what pertinacity the Mexi- 
cans persisted in maintaining on tliis occasion, that there was no war, 
although, as they alleged, so many acts of hostility had been committed. 
(House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 19G, p. 114, 1st session, 29th Congress:) 

"' General Worth. la the American consul in arrest, or in prison ? — • 
General La Vei^a. No. — General Worth. Is he now in the exercise of 
his proper functions 1 — General La Vega, (after apparently consulting 
with the Licenciado Casares for a moment) replied that he was. — Gen- 
eral Worth. Then, as an American officer, in the name of my govern- 
ment and- my commanding general, I demand an interview with the 
consul of my country. (No reply.) — General Worth. Has Mexico de- 
clared war against the United States ? — General La Vega. No. — Gen- 
eral Worth. Are the two countries still at peace 1— General La Vega. 
Yes. — General Worth. Then I again demand an interview with the 
consul of my government, in Matamoras, in the presence, of course, of 
these gentlemen, or any other that the commanding general in Mata- 
moras may be pleased to designate. 

" General La Vega reiterated that the consul was in the proper exer- 
cise of his functions ; that he was not in arrest, nor were any other 
Americans in arrest in Matamoras ; that he would submit the demand 
to General Mejia, adding, that he thought there would be great diffi- 
culty. 



80 THE AMERICAN ENCAMPMENT. 

The Mexicans still persisting in keeping up a hostile at- 
titude, a position was selected for a permanent encamp- 
ment, and the American flag planted for the first time 
on the left bank of the Rio Grande. 

The construction of defensive works was immedi- 
ately commenced by General Taylor, in imitation of 
the example of the Mexicans, who had already erected 
several batteries and redoubts. Fifteen hundred soldiers 
were constantly employed on fatigue duty, working day 
and night with commendable patience and perseverance. 
Intrenchments were thrown up, and a fort erected, with 
six bastions, large enough to accommodate a force of 
two thousand men. Batteries were also completed, 
and mounted with heavy guns bearing directly upon the 
public square of Matamoras. The defences of Point 
Isabel were, in like manner, strengthened as rapidly as 
circumstances would permit. 

Notwithstanding these hostile preparations, no actual 
collision with the enemy's forces took place for several 
days, and the impression that there would be no war 
became generally entertained. In this belief. General 

" This demand was repeatedly made in the most emphatic manner, and 
a reply requested ; General La Vega stating the consul continued in the 
exercise of his functions, and that Gen. Worth's demand would be 8ub- 
mitted to Gen. Mejia. » » * ♦ » 

" No reply having been received from Gen. La Vega relative to the 
demand for an interview with the American consul, the question was 
again introduced by Gen. Worth, and the demand for the last time re- 
iterated. 

" Gen. La Vega then promptly refused to comply with the demand, 
replying, without waiting for the interpretation, ' No, no.' 

" GcTiercd Worth. I have now to state that a refusal of my demand 
to see the American consul is regarded as a belligerent act ; and, in con- 
clusion, I have to add, the commanding general of the American forces 
on the left bank of the river will regard the passage of any armed party 
of Mexicans in hostile array across the Rio Grande as an act of war, 
and pursue it accordingly." 



SCENE ON THE RIO GRANDE. 81 

Worth expressed a desire to be separated from his com- 
mand, on account of some difficulty in relation to his 
brevet rank. This was done on the 7th of April, and 
he soon after returned home, with the intention of re- 
signing his commission.* 

Aside from the presence of the two armies, the scene 
presented at this time, on the banks of the Rio Grande, 
was of a peaceful, yet imposing character. On the op- 
posite shore from the American encampment was the 
city of Matamoras, with its towering catliedral, its neat 
houses, and pretty gardens ; on the verge of the town 
were the small reed and thatched habitations of the 
humbler classes; and in the distance, tiie cultivated 
fields of cotton and cane, and smiling ht'.ciendas im- 
bosomed amid groves of ebony and lignur.a-vitce. At 
sunset the whole population of the city crowded down 
to the river's side, to hear the bands belonging to the 
American regiments discourse " the eloquent music" 
whose rich notes were borne to their ears mingled with 
the low murmuring of the Bravo ; and, in default of 
more chivalric enterprises, it is said that many a love- 
passage took place between our young officers and the 
gay Mexican senoritas. But this quiet was only the 
hush that preceded the tempest ; and the angry pas- 
sions smothered for the moment, soon burst forth, like 
the vf rath of Jove, with redoubled vengeance. 

On the 11th of April, General Ampudia arrived from 
Monterey, and assumed the command at Matamoras. 
He was accompanied by 200 cavalry, and a force of 

* General Worth insisted that his brevet entitled him to precedence 
over Colonei Twiggs, whose commission as colonel was of an older date 
than his own. In conformity with the rule adopted by the War Depart- 
ment, General Taylor decided that brevet rank gave no command, ex- 
cept where there was a regular assignment to duty according to such 
brevet rank. 

4* 



82 DISPATCH OF AMPUDIA. 

2,200 men followed close in his rear. When passing 
through Reinosa, he ordered all Americans to leave 
that place within twenty-four hours, and to retire to 
Victoria. A similar order was issued on his arrival at 
Matamoras, where his entrance was hailed by the ring- 
ing of bells, the firing of cannon, and other demonstra- 
tions of joy. His assumption of the command was un- 
derstood to be the signal for the commencement of 
hostilities ; a rigid non-intercourse was established with 
the Americans on the left bank ; and the Mexican 
pickets were extended above and below the city for 
several miles. Copies of a proclamation* issued by him, 
on the road to Matamoras, addressed to the soldiers of 
foreign birth in the American army, and artfully ap- 
pealing to their cupidity to induce them to desert, were 
secretly introduced into General Taylor's camp. A 
number of desertions took place, but the prompt meas- 
ures taken by the American commander soon put an 
end to them. Some of those who attempted to escape 
were drowned in the river, and others were fired upon 
by the guards. Those who reached the Mexican lines 
were loaded with favors, and every mark of distinction 
conferred upon them, almost without solicitation, 

A dispatch was received by General Taylor from 
Ampudia, on the morning of the 12th of April, formally 
requii'ing him to break up his camp "in the peremptory 
term of twenty-four hours," and retire to the other 
bank of the Nueces, pending the negotiations for the 
settlement of the Texas question ;* and advising him, 
" that arms-, and arms alone, must decide " between 
them, if he insisted on remaining in his position, and 
that the war to be thus commenced, would be conducted 

* The final refusal of the Mexican government to receive Mr. Slidell, 
though anticipated at Matamoras, was not yet positively known. 



REPLY OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 83 

on his part, " conformably to the principles established 
by the most civilized nations." General^ Taylor replied 
on the same day, declining to enter upon any discus- 
sion in regard to the international question, but remind- 
ing General Ampudia that, although Mexico had hith- 
erto refused to hear any proposition for negotiation, he 
! had been instructed, in occupying the country, to ab- 
' stain from all acts of hostility, which instructions had 
so far been carefully observed. He added, however, 
that he should not avoid the alternative presented by 
the Mexican commander, and would leave the respon- 
sibility with those who rashly commenced hostilities.* 
General Ampudia having thus announced the existence 
of a state of war. General Taylor prepared himself for 

* " I need hardly advise you that, charged^s I anij in only a military 
capacity, with the performance of specific duties, I cannot enter into a 
discussion of the international question involved in the advance of the 
American army. You will, however, permit me to say, that the govern- 
ment of the United States has constantly sought a settlement, by nego- 
tiation, of the question of boundary ; that an envoy was dispatched to 
Mexico for that purpose, and that up to the most recent dates said en- 
voy had not been received by the actual Mexican government, if, indeed, 
he has not received his passports and left the republic. In the mean- 
time, I have been ordered to occupy the country up to the left bank of 
the Rio Grande, until the boundary shall be definitely settled. In carry- 
ing out these instructions, I have carefully abstained from all acts of 
hostility, obeying, in this regard, not only the letter of my instructions, 
but the plain dictates of justice and humanity. ' 

" The instructions under which I am acting will not permit me to re- ! 
trograde from the position I now occupy. In view of the relations be- 
tween our respective governments, and the individual suffering which 
may result, I regret the alternative which you offer; but, at the same 
time, wish it understood that I shall by no means avoid such alternative, 
leaving the responsibility with those who rashly commence hostilities. 
In conclusion, you will permit me to give the assurance, that on my 
part, the laws and customs of war among civihzed nations shall be care- 
full" :)bserved." — Extract from General Taylor's reply to Ampudia, 
April 12th, 1846. 



84 MURDER OF COLONEL CROSS. 

the consequences, intending, as he had previously done, 
to act strictly on the defence. Instructions were given 
to the naval commander at Brazos Santiago, on the 
13th instant, to blockade the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
in order to stop all supplies intended for Matamoras. 
The second regiment of infantry was removed out of 
reach of the shot from the Mexican batteries, and the 
field-work occupied by the third regiment, and two 
batteries of light artillery. Strong guards of foot and 
mounted men were stationed along the margin of the 
river, and every precaution adopted to prevent sur- 
prise. An additional force was ordered to Point Isabel, 
and the fort well supplied with artillery and ammuni- 
tion. 

The peremptory term specified by Ampudia expired 
without producing «iny act of hostility on his part, and 
every thing continued quiet for several days. While 
matters were in this condition, the American army was 
called upon to lament the loss of Colonel Trueman 
Cross, Deputy Quartermaster-general, and a most 
estimable officer. He was accustomed to take daily 
exercise on horseback, and on the morning of the 10th 
of April rode out as usual. It was supposed for a long 
time that he had been taken prisoner, and conveyed 
across the river, but his body was subsequently discov- 
ered in a dense chaparral, some miles from the fort, in 
a horribly mutilated state. He was only recognized 
by his uniform, and was undoubtedly murdered by the 
lawless banditti who hung around the Mexican camp, 
but acted under no orders except those given by their 
own chosen leaders. 

On the 17th instant, and previous to the discovery of 
the body of Colonel Cross, Lieutenants Porter and Dob- 
bins, each with a party of twelve men, were sent out 



REMONSTRANCE AGAINST THE BLOCKADE. 85 

10 obtain intelligence in regard to the missing officer. 
The two detachments took different directions. On the 
second day out, Lieutenant Porter met a party of 
Mexicans, about eighteen miles from General Taylor's 
camp, and one third of that distance north of the river, 
numbering near one hundred and fift}^ one of whom 
snapped his piece at him. He instantly discharged 
both barrels of his gun, and the Mexicans disappeared 
in the thicket. Their camp, with their horses and 
equipage, were captured. On their return, the Ameri- 
cans encountered another body of Mexicans, who had 
probably been joined by those previously seen. It was 
nearly nightfall, and raining heavily. They were in- 
stantly fired upon, but were unable to return it on ac- 
count of their ammunition being damaged. Lieutenant 
Porter and one of his men were killed, and the remain- 
der of the party returned to camp. 

Two vessels bound to Matamoras with supplies for 
the army were warned off the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
on the 17th of April, by the blockading force. On re- 
ceiving information of the fact, Ampudia remonstrated 
against the blockade. His letter to General Taylor 
was dated on the 22nd instant, and on the same day, a 
reply was made, in the usual sententious and impressive 
style of the American commander. He briefly re- 
viewed his proceedings since he had left Corpus Christi 
with the army under his orders ; pointing out the nu- 
merous evidences of his desire to avoid hostilities, and 
showing conclusively that the responsibility of produc- 
ing them did not rest with him. When authoritatively 
informed by General Ampudia, that war would be the 
consequence of a refusal to abandon his position, he 
issued the order to the naval commanders for the en- 
forcement of a blockade, which, he insisted, was not only 



86 ARRIVAL OF GENERAL ARISTA. 

justifiable under the circumstances, but could not be 
removed, unless an armistice was desired, in which 
case he would cheerfully open the river. As for the 
consequences that might result, and which were inti- 
mated in the remonstrance of General Ampudia, he 
begged to be understood that he was prepared for them, 
whatever they might be. 

General Arista* arrived at Matamoras on the 24th 
of April, and assumed the chief command, information 
of which was communicated by himself, in a courteous 
note to General Taylor, stating, also, that he considered 
hostilities commenced, and should prosecute them. A 
second proclamation, prepared by him, was distributed 
among the American soldiers, inviting them to desert, 
and promising large bounties of land as a reward for 
espousing the Mexican cause. A few, a very few, of 
those to whom the proclamation was addressed, accept- 
ed the offer ; but, to their honor be it said, the great 
majority spurned it with the scorn and indignation 
which it merited. 

On the evening of the 23rd of April, General Taylor's 
spies reported that 2,500 Mexicans had crossed the Rio 
Grande above the American encampment, and about 
1,500 below, with the intention of surrounding his 
position, and cutting off all communication with the 
depot at Point Isabel. Captain Ker was dispatched 

* General Arista commanded the army on the northern frontier 
of Mexico, in the summer of 1845. He returned to the interior in the 
fall, when the revolutionary movements were in progress. He was op- 
posed to Paredes, and it was at one time supposed that he would 'pro- 
nounce against him, as the Mexicans term it, but it seems that he was 
content to wait for a more favorable opportunity. After his defeat by 
General Taylor, in May 1846, he endeavored to organize a revolutionary 
faction, but was unsuccessful, and soon after retired from the army. 
He is said to have been one of the ablest senerals in the Mexican service. 



CAPTURE OF Thornton's party. 87 

on the following day, with a squadron of dragoons, to 
reconnoitre the crossing near Burrita, and returned in 
a few hours, with the intelHgence that the alarm was 
unfounded. At the same time another squadron, under 
Captain Thornton, was sent to scour the country above. 
They proceeded up the river about twenty-six miles, 
wdthout discovering any signs of the enemy, although 
their inquiries on the way tended to show that they had 
crossed the river in strength. At this point the guide 
refused to go any further, alleging that the whole country 
was full of Mexicans. The orders of Captain Thornton 
were, to discover the position and force of the enemy, 
if they had passed the river, but to proceed with care 
and caution. He was entirely ignorant of the coun- 
try,, but perfectly fearless, and somewhat impetuous. 
Having decided to go on without the guide, his advanced 
guard was increased, and the party again moved for- 
ward. At a distance of about three miles further, they 
discovered a plantation, inclosed by a chaparral fence, 
except on the side facing the river, with a farm-house 
situated about two hundred yards from the entrance, 
which was narrow, and secured by a pair of bars. 

Captain Thornton halted the advanced guard, and 
went into the field ahead of his men, to speak with 
some persons who appeared to be at work. Sufficient 
precautions had not been taken to guard against surprise, 
and a signal to the guard was mistaken by the remain- 
der of the force all of whom entered the inclosure. 
In an instant the chaparral swarmed with the Mexicans, 
who had completely surrounded them, and apparently 
cut off every chance of escape. A body of cavalry 
also made their appearance, and charged upon the little 
band, who met them gallantly, and with success. A 
destructive fire was now poured upon them, which it 



88 REaUISITIOX FOR VOLUNTEERS. 

was impossible to resist, and orders were given by Cap- 
tain Thornton to his men, f.o cut their way through the 
enemy. With a single bound he cleared the fence, 
overturning a number of the Mexicans who endeavored 
to stop him, and darted ahead in the direction of General 
Taylor's position. In leaping' a precipice, his horse fell 
with him, and he remained for some time insensible. 
When he recovered, he again started for the camp, but 
was taken prisoner before he reached it. Meanwhile 
Captain Hardee, who had succeeded to the command of 
the squadron, ordered his men to ford the river ; but the 
banks were found to.be so boggy, that this was impossi- 
ble, and he then surrendered himself and men prisoners 
of war. In this affair the American loss was ten killed, 
and about fifty taken prisoners. The Mexican force 
consisted of cavalry and infantry, over three hundred 
strong, commanded by General Torrejon. General 
Taylor forthwith communicated the particulars of the 
enounter to his government ; and, deeming that the 
time had arrived when additional forces v/ere neces- 
sary, he made a requisition on the Governor of Louisi- 
ana for four regiments of infantry, and on the Governor 
of Texas for two regiments of mounted men, and two 
of foot, all which were to be sent into the field as 
soon as possible. 



CHAPTER II 

BATTLES ON THE RIO GRANDE. 

The intelligence of Thornton's Capture received in the United States — 
Fears for the Safety of General Taylor — Proceedings of Congress — 
Preparations for War — Prompt response to the call for Volunteers — 
The Army of Occupation — Skirmishing — March to Point Isabel — 
Bombardment of Fort Brown — Battle of Palo Alto — Resaca de la 
Palma — Capture of Matamoras, and other Mexican Towns on the 
Rio Grande. 

The fiery cross, borne by the swift-footed Walise, as 
the signal for the marshalling of the Scottish clans, did 
not arouse a deeper or more intense feeling of anxiety, 
than the intelligence of the capture of Thornton and 
his command on the banks of the Bravo. With the 
rapidity of the electric fire, it was communicated from 
^one extremity of the country to the other. One rumor 
followed close upon another. Exaggerated accounts 
of th'e forces of the enemy, and the dangers that beset 
the army of occupation, were circulated far and near ; 
each new repetition affording wider scope to the imagi- 
nation, and magnifying the causes of alarm, until the 
public mind was actually prepared for any disaster 
or reverse. Cut off froin all communication with his 
depot of provisions and supplies, hemmed in and sur- 
rounded by a force trebling his own in numbers, Gen- 
eral Taylor was represented to be in a most perilous 
position. The information that he was authorized to 
call on the governors of the neighboring states for vol- 



90 EXCITEMENT «v' THE UNITED STATES. 

unteers whenever he deemed it necessary, quieted tho 
fears and apprehensions of the community but for a 
moment, and all ^vere soon prepossessed with the idea 
that he had waited until it was too late. Even those 
who were best acquainted with his qualities as a soldier, 
and knew that he would not rashly thrust himself into 
danger, trembled for his safety ; and, although they 
were satisfied that he would fight like the stag at bay, 
whatever might be the strength of his assailants, they 
feared lest courage and determination would avail him 
nothing, against the powerful army which threatened to 
ov.erwhelm him. 

In the city of New Orleans, and the adjoining coun- 
try, the excitement was so great that it could scarcely 
be controlled. Partaking of the enthusiasm of those 
who surrounded him, the veteran General Gaines,* 
then in command of that division, without waiting for 
orders from Washington, made large requisitions for 
volunteers, on the Governors of Louisiana, Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Missouri, in addition to those called for 
by General Taylor.f There was no lack of applicants 
to meet all the requisitions, and the only strife was, who 
should be first and foremost in the rescue. Within a 

* Major General Edmund P. Gaines has been in the service ahnost half 
a century. He was appointed an ensign in 1799, and received his com- 
mission as a brigadier general in 1814. He received the brevet of ma- 
jor general for his brave defence of Fort Erie, against the assault of the 
British army under General Drummond. 

•f The calls made by General Gaines were countermanded as soon as 
they came to the knowledge of the President, though recognized to the 
extent of the number of troops already furnished. These unexpected 
additions to his force, not only exhausted General Taylor's supplies, but 
they also seriously embarrassed his movements.— (Letters to the Adjutant 
General, May 20th, Jujie 3rd, and July 1st, 1816.) But no one doubted 
that the motives of Gen,eral Gaines were eminently praiseworthy. Too 
much credit, perhaps, was given to the rumors against which he and 



«" 



PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. 91 

very short time a considerable force was mustered into 
the service of the United States, equipped and pro- 
vided, and on their way to the seat of war. 

Cong-ress was still in session, when the information 
that hostilities had commenced on the Rio Grande 
reached Washington. A special message was received 
from the President, on the 11th of May, communicating 
the' dispatches of General Taylor, and recommending 
the most energetic measures for the prosecution of the 
war. Two days were occupied in the deliberation and 
discussion of the subject, and on the 13th, an act was 
passed, with great unanimity, declaring that a state of 
war existed " by the act of the republic of Mexico," and 
authorizing the President to accept the services of fifty 
thousand volunteers. The sum of ten millions of dol- 
lars also was appropriated to carry on the war. 

Energy and activity were at once infused into every 
department of the public service. Consultations were 
held between the President, the Secretary of War, 
and General Scott,* the general-in-chief of the army. 
Memoranda were furnished to the different staff officers 
and heads of bureaus. Quartermasters, commissaries, 
and medical purveyors, were busily engaged in making 
calculations, preparing estimates, and providing the 

the War Department had been warned by General Taylor ; but he could 
not see a brother officer in supposed peril, without volunteering to aid 
him. When he heard the sound of cannon, he knew it was time to 
fight, as Napoleon said, " without waiting for orders." 

* Major General Winfield Scott is so well known, as the Hero of 
Chippewa and Niagara, that it is almost superfluous to refer to his mil- 
itary history. He entered the army, with the rank of captain, in 1808, 
and in March, 1814, at the age of twenty-eight, was made a brigadier 
general. In the same year he was brevetted a major general, for his 
distinguished services on the Niagara frontier, and on the 25th of June, 
1841, he was appointed General in Chief of the Army, to fill the vacancy 
occasioned by the death of General Macomb. 



92 PLANS FOR THE CAMPAIGN'. 

necessary supplies for the comfort and health of the 
troops, their sustenance and equipment, and the requi- 
site facilities for transportation. How well the duties 
of these officers were discharged, is attested by the fact, 
that an additional force of near 20,000 men was sent 
into the field early in the ensuing summer. 

The general plan of the campaign, determined on at 
Washington, was, to make a series of flank invasions, or 
attacks, on the western, northern, and eastern frontiers 
of Mexico. A strong naval squadron was already 
lying in the Gulf, and orders were issued to Commodore 
Conner, on the 13th of May, to blockade the Mexican 
ports. Instructions had been previously given to Com- 
modore Sloat, the officer commanding the Pacific 
squadron, to take possession of the principal ports and 
towns on that coast, as fast as his means would allow, 
whenever he was credibly informed that hostilities had 
commenced. The land forces of the United States 
were to penetrate the enemy's country in three divis- 
ions — one proceeding from Fort Leavenworth on the 
Missouri river, ivnder Colonel (afterwards General) 
Kearny,* into New Mexico and California; the sec- 
ond, under General Wool,t to rendezvous at San An- 

* Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny received his first commission, 
that of a Ueutenant, in 1812. He served during the v/at with credit, 
and after the peace was mainly employed on the western frontier. He 
rose by regular promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which ap- 
pointment was conferred on him on the 30th of June, 1846. 

•)• Brigadier General John E. Wool obtained a captain's commission 
m 1812. His military debut was made at the battle of Queenston, 
where he highly distinguished himself. He also bore a conspicuous part 
under General Macomb at Plattsburg. In 1816, he was appointed 
inspector-general of the army, and continued to act in that capacity for 
twenty-five years. His acquirements as a disciplinarian, and his skill 
as a tactician, are conceded to be of a high order. He was promoted 
to the rank of brigadier general in 1841. 



ACaUISITION OF TERraTORY FORESEEN. 93 

tonic de Bexar, and march due west towards Chihua- 
hua ; subject, however, to the orders of the officer in 
command of the third division, which was to consti- 
tute the main body of the army, and assuming the Rio 
Grande as the base Hne of its operations, to overrun and 
occupy the provinces of Coahuila, New Leon, and Ta- 
mauhpas. If found to be practicable, a movement in the 
direction of the city of Mexico was designed to be made 
from this quarter ; but, if otherwise, two projects were 
in contemplation — a march from Tampico on San Luis 
Potosi, and the capture of Vera Cruz — to be followed 
by an advance movement towards the Mexican capital ; 
one or both of which were to be adopted, as circum- 
stances might render expedient. In order to secure the 
possession of California, without weakening the column 
under General Kearny, a regiment of volunteers, with 
a small body of regular soldiers, were to be sent round 
by sea. 

An examination of the map will show the nature and 
the propriety of these different movements. The idea 
of making a permanent conquest of any portion of the 
republic of Mexico, for the sake of territorial aggran- 
dizement alone, was disavowed by the administration, 
and would have been as foreign to the purposes for 
which our government was formed, as it was abhorrent 
to the wishes of the American people. But it was fore- 
seen, at the outset, that the prosecution of the war, if 
successful, would be followed by the acquisition of some 
part of the domain of Mexico. She was confessedly 
bankrupt ; her mines, her revenues, her lands, indeed 
all her most valuable resources, were pledged for the 
security of other obligations ; and she possessed no 
means of satisfying the claims of the American citizens, 
and those which would necessarily grow out of a state 



94 GENERAL SCOTT AND THE PRESIDENT. 

of hostilities, except by a cession of her territory. It 
was thought expedient therefore, to take possession of 
that lying contiguous to the United States, ana, pursu- 
ing the same policy, to establish temporary civil govern- 
ments in New Mexico and California, to be continued 
in another form, if those provinces were annexed, and 
to be suspended in the event of their restoration. By 
carrying the war, at the same time, into the interior, 
into the heart of the country, it was evident that the 
government of Mexico would be ultimately driven to 
abandon her position of refusing to negotiate, and to 
conclude a treaty of peace on fair and honorable terms. 

The several projects adopted by the principal exec- 
utive and military officers of the government, with such 
modifications and changes as were discovered to be ne- 
cessary, were carried into effect. General Wool found it 
impracticable to continue his route over the mountains 
to Chihuahua, and turned aside to Monclova and Parras, 
afterwards effecting a junction with General Taylor's 
army at Saltillo. The demonstration from Tampico, 
against San Luis Potosi, and the march into the in- 
terior of Mexico from the north, were also abandoned. 

It was originally designed that the main body of the 
army should be placed under the immediate command 
of General Scott, whose official position, to say noth- 
ing of his ability, seemed to render the selection a 
proper and desirable one. An unfortunate misunder- 
standing, between the President and Secretary of War 
on the one hand, and himself on the other, was fol- 
lowed by a change in the orders which had been given, 
and he was directed to confine his services to the city of 
Washington. It would be out of place in a work of this 
character, to enter into the details of that controversy. 
It is sufficient to say of it, that although there was too 



CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. 95 

little deference shown on the one side, towards those 
whom the law and the constitution had intrusted with 
Superior authority, it was forgotten on the other, that 
the wounds of a soldier who had fought and bled in 
the service of his country, were to be held sacred, and 
that a single hasty word, or an ill-advised act, ought to 
weigh as nothing against the qualifications which 
placed their possessor in the front rank of military men 
in the world. There are few friends of General Scott 
but will lament this occurrence ; and it is equally 
true, that the efforts made to supersede him will never 
be regarded with favor. Neither Congress nor the 
country approved them ; and if mentioned at all, they 
should only be regretted.* 

The proclamation of the President of the United 
States, announcing the existence of the war with Mex- 
ico, was issued on the same day with the passage of the 
act in Congress. So prompt was the country to respond 
to the call for volunteers, that in a few weeks the ser- 
vices of more than two hundred thousand men were 
offered to the Executive. But a small portion of these 
could be accepted, and only twenty-four regiments, 
whose aggregate strength was 18,000 men, were im- 
mediately called into the field. Early in the session of 

* A bill was introduced in Congress, in May, 1846, providing for the 
appointment of two additional major generals, and authorizing the 
President to assign them their relative command and rank. It failed to 
become a law in that shape ; and provision was afterwards made for 
the appointment of tne major general, and two brigadiers. -General 
Taylor was appointed the major general, and the brigadiers selected 
were Generals Twiggs and Kearny. At the session of 1846-7, the 
project of creating the office of lieutenant general was brought forward, 
but Congress could not be induced to sanction it. The appointment 
was intended to be conferred on a civilian, who would thus have been 
elevated above all the more experienced, if not abler, officers of the 
army. 



96 ACTIVE PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR. 

Congress a bill had been introduced, in pursuance 
of the suggestion of the general-in-chief, authorizing 
an increase of the rank and file of the regular army. 
It was not pressed forward with as much celerity as it 
should have been, and became a la-w but a short time 
prior to the act of the 13th of May. All the disposable 
recruits enlisted for several months previous had been 
sent to General Taylor, and this was continued after 
the passage of the bill. The regular force in Mexico 
was increased, during the season, to almost 7,000 men. 

Though deprived of any active command, General- 
Scott, in connection with the able staflf officers under 
his orders, applied himself vigorously to the task of fit- 
ting the volunteers for the scenes that awaited them. 
The city of New Orleans was to be the grand depot of 
supply, and all the materiel for carrying on the war 
was hurried forward as rapidly as possible to this point. 
Whatever determination, perseverance, and ability 
could accomplish, was performed. Delays and embar- 
rassments sometimes occurred, but these were to have 
been expected in a gountry without a standing army, 
and which was called upon in an emergency to raise 
and equip a large volunteer force. Temporary incon- 
venience was felt on all hands, yet this was of minor 
importance, in comparison with the evils which might 
follow from keeping up a large military establishment. 

While all these preparations w'ere being made at 
Washington, and in other parts of the country ; and 
while so much apprehension and alarm were entertained 
for the safety. of General Taylor and the army on the 
Rio Grande, he appears to have been entirely uncon- 
scious of his and their danger. Jn a letter written to 
the adjutant general on the 20th of May, 1846, he said, 
that he knew, if the Mexicans fought him at all, "it 



GENERAL TAYLOR S FORCE TOO SMALL. 97 

■would be before the arrival of the volunteers." He 
never doubted his ability to maintain himself, with the 
force already under his command, against the whole 
Mexican army ; and the sequel proved that his confi- 
dence in the bravery and discipline of his men was well 
founded. Nevertheless, it is to be regretted that a 
much larger army was not sent, in the first instance, to 
assert, by its presence, the claim of the United States 
to the disputed territory. The reluctance always ex- 
hibited in Congress to increase the regular military 
force ; the jealousy with which any proposition of that 
character would be regarded by the people ; the suppo- 
sition that it might be looked upon in England as a 
measure of intimidation, while the ©regon negotiation 
was in progress, and there was no actual war with 
Mexico ; and the necessity of keeping the Atlantic 
coast, and the northern frontier, well protected, until 
that question was settled, were strong reasons for the 
course adopted by our government. But a single con- 
sideration will show that this policy was an unfortunate 
one, though it may have been necessary. The great 
body of the Mexican army at Matamoras were ignorant 
and cowardly, but of an excitable temperament, and, 
after the capture of Thornton and his dragoons, easily 
wrought upon to engage in any enterprise which their 
leaders thought proper to undertake ; but had General 
Taylor's force been double what it was in numbers, 
those leaders must have seen that it would be madness 
to think of contending against him, and it is scarcely 
probable that they would have hastened on the war by 
crossing the river. 

After the capture of the party under Captain Thorn- 
ton, the Mexican detachment on the left bank of the 
river, commanded by General Torrejon, was increased 

5 



98 CAPTAIN WALKEK AND HIS RANGERS. 

by large reinforcements from the opposite shore. A 
part of this force, by making a detour to the left, gained 
a position between General Taylor's camp and Point 
Isabel, and the remainder occupied the country above. 
The communication between the Point and the main 
army was now closed, and the teams employed in con- 
veying provisions and supplies from the depot, were 
compelled to return without reaching their destination. 
Captain Walker had been stationed with his company 
of Texan Rangers, between the two positions, with in- 
structions to keep the road open ; and on being informed 
by the teamsters that the Mexicans had completely ob- 
structed it, he left his camp with about half his force, on 
the 28th of April, U) reconnoitre. The captain was an 
experienced frontier soldier, and gave his men special 
directions to guard against a surprise. During his 
absence, the camp was suddenly attacked by a large 
body of ranchero cavalry, supposed to be nearly 1,500 
strong. The rangers were mostly new volunteers, and 
did not obey the injunctions of their leader ; they were 
instantly thrown into confusion, and he returned in 
time to check, but not to remedy the disaster. A smart 
engagement was kept up for a few moments, during 
which the Mexicans lost thirty men, but the captain 
was forced to make a hurried retreat to the Point. His 
own loss was nine, in killed and wounded. 

The information brought in by Captain Walker oc- 
casioned much alarm and anxiety at the Point. The ene- 
emy could not be ignorant of the value of the stores col- 
lected here, and an attack was hourly expected. Every 
man connected with the service was provided w^ith 
arms, and the masters and crews of the vessels and trans- 
ports lying in the harbor promptly came on shore and 
tendered their services. The entire force which Major 



POINT ISABEL THREATENED. 99 

Mu iroe was thus enabled to collect for the defence of 
the post, including the two companies of artillery and 
the rangers, amounted to about 500 men. His artillery 
consisted of sixteen brass six pounders, two long eigh- 
teens, and two ship's guns. He was amply provided 
with ammunition, and felt confident that he could with- 
1 stand a force three times his own in number. 

Though the enterprise was a most hazardous one, 
"Captain Walker offered to be the bearer of a com- 
munication from Major Munroe to General Taylor, 
apprizing him of the situation of the depot, provided 
four men would accompany him. Permission was 
given him to make the attempt, and six men volun- 
teered to go with him. He left the Point with his party, 
on the morning of the 29th of April ; the service was 
full of peril, as every bush and thicket were supposed 
to conceal a hidden enemy ; but he succeeded, on the 
evening of the same day, in reaching the camp oppo- 
site Matamoras, in safety, after making several hair- 
breadth escapes ; on one occasion cutting his way 
through a body of Mexican lancers who endeavored to 
intercept him. 

Previous to this time, General Taylor had been in- 
formed that the enemy were preparing to cross below 
his camp, with the view of effecting a junction with the 
force under General Torrejon. The design of Arista 
was at once apparent. Ever since the blockade, pro- 
visions had been scarce in Matamoras. The prize at 
Point Isabel had attracted his attention, and he had de- 
termined to secure it. This position in his hands. General 
Taylor WDuVd be cut of from his supplies, and from all 
communication with New Orleans, by water, tlie only 
mode by which he could be immediately reinforced, or 
furnished with military stores and provisions. The 



100 M^RCH TO THE POINT. 

unfinished state of his field-work, and the necessity of 
placing it in a good condition for defence, had hitherto 
prevented General Taylor from acting on the offensive ; 
but as his own ammunition and provisions were be- 
coming reduced, and his principal depot was menaced, 
he determined to march to the Point with the main 
body of the army as soon as possible, and put an end 
to the land blockade which the enemy appeared dis- 
posed to enforce against him. The troops were em- 
ployed without intermission, on the field-work, until the 
morning of the 1st of May, when it appeared to be 
capable of being defended by an inferior force, and 
orders were then issued to prepare for the march. 

The seventh regiment of infantry, with Captain 
Lowd's and Lieutenant Bragg's companies of artillery, 
numbering, in all, about 600 men, were detailed to gar- 
rison the field-work, and complete its defences. Major 
Brown, of the 7th, was left in command. At half-past 
three in the afternoon of the 1st, the main force marched 
under General Taylor, leaving all their sick behind them 
at the post ; and at eleven o'clock on the same evening 
bivouacked in the open prairie, about ten miles from 
Point Isabel. The march was resumed the next morn- 
ing, and they reached the depot early in the day, with- 
out discovering any indications of the enemy. 

The departure of General Taylor, with the greater 
part of his army, was hailed in Matamoras with every 
manifestation of joy. His march was pronounced a 
hasty retreat, and it was said that he had shut himself 
up in the fort, and lacked sufficient courage to meet 
the Mexicans in the field. The newspapers published 
in Matamoras abounded in declarations to this effect ; 
and El Monitor Repuhlicano boastfully announced, 
that the American general " dared not resist the valor 



ATTACK ON FORT BROWN. 101 

and enthusiasm of the sons of Mexico." Within a 
week they were taught to know him better, and their 
loud boasting changed to mournful lamentations.* 

General Arista, who now had not far from 8,000 
men under his command, left Matamoras with the prin- 
cipal part of the troops remaining on the right bank of 
the river, several hours before the departure of General 
Taylor from his position opposite the city. On arriv- 
ing at the crossing-place below Matamoras, the flat 
boats were found to be so much injured, that consider- 
able delay was produced before he could, concentrate 
his forces for the contemplated attack on the Point. 
General Taylor was on his way to its relief, and he did 
not think it advisable to hazard an engagement, in the 
then disordered condition of his army. The detach- 
ment under General Torrejon occupied the left bank, 
to cover the crossing, and the Americans were there- 
fore unmolested on their march. 

An attack on Fort Texas, as the American field-work 
opposite Matamoras was called,"f next suggested itself 
to the Mexican commander. The necessary orders 
were given, and the firing commenced at daylight on 
Sunday mornii g, the 3rd instant, from a battery of 
seven guns, (ei^ht-pounders,) protected by a breast- 
work of sand-bags.. The reveille was beaten at every 
point of the Mexican line, and the solemn stillness of 

* It was claimed by the Mexican journals that their army made every 
effort to come up with the Americans, but were unable to do so. This 
is not at all probable. Arista left Matamoras at eleven o'clock in the 
forenoon of the 1st, and his troops had preceded him several hours. 
General Mejia who remained in command in the city, dispatched a mes- 
senger with the news of General Taylor's march soon after it com- 
menced. If the Mexicans had desired to overtake General Taylor, 
they could have found him that night on the prairie. 

■\ The name was subsequently chanced to Fort Brown. 



102 SETTLEMENT AT POINT ISABEL. 

the day was soon broken by the thunder of the cannon, 
the pealing notes of the church bells in Matamoras, 
and the loud vivas of the inhabitants who had assem- 
bled to witness the scene, and to cheer and animate 
their countrymen. The American batteries were 
quickly manned, and a strong fire kept up from the 
eighteen and six-pounders, for thirty minutes, when the 
enemy's fort was silenced. Two of their guns were 
disabled, and the remainder were removed to another 
fort lower down. A few shells had been thrown from 
a mortar in the sand-bag fort, but this was also re- 
moved to the lower fort, and a heavy cannonade com- 
menced from that point, which was continued, almost 
without intermission, until 12 o'clock at night, during 
which time from twelve to fifteen hundred shot were 
discharged. But little damage was done by the Mexi- 
can guns, though the embrasures were frequently 
struck. The only real annoyance was produced by 
the mortar, from which a number of shells were thrown 
that exploded in the fort. Finding that his six-pound- 
ers produced no effect, Major Brown ordered them to 
be posted in the rear to prevent an assault. A steady 
and deliberate fire was then continued from the eigh- 
teen-pounders by Captain Lowd, anJ a number of 
houses and other buildings in the city were considera- 
bly injured by the balls. An attempt was made to fire 
the town by throwing hot balls, but they could not be 
sufficiently heated to answer the purpose. At ten 
o'clock in the forenoon Major Brown ordered the fire 
to cease. It was found to be impossible to silence the 
mortar, and, as the enemy's guns did no harm, he 
wished to husband the small supply of ammunition in 
the fort. During the cannonade and bombardment, 
the garrison continued their labors on the unfinished 



LAW OF CONGRESS. 103 

works, under the superintendence of the efficient engi- 
neer officer, Captain Mansfield. But one man was 
killed in the fort, and none were wounded. 

The cannonade in the direction of Matamoras on 
the 3rd instant was heard at Point Isabel, and General 
Taylor dispatched Captain Walker, with ten of his 
rangers, protected by a squadron of cavalry under Cap- 
tain May, to communicate with Major Brown. The 
party set out at two o'clock in the afternoon, and at 
nine came in sight of the watch fires of the enemy, 
who were encamped near Palo Alto. Taking a wide 
circuit, Captain May gained a position in the rear, 
where he concealed his men in a thicket of chaparral, 
while Captain Walker proceeded to the fort. The lat- 
ter accomplished his errand, and communicated the 
orders of General Taylor, not to hazard the safety of 
the fort by a sally, under any circumstances, but to 
defend it to the last. Having obtained fresh horses, he 
returned to the place where he had parted with the 
cavalry escort, but found it deserted. He was then 
compelled to seek safety in the fort during the day. 
At night he ventured forth again, and reached the 
Point unharmed, notwithstanding there were numer- 
ous parties on the alert to capture him. His bold and 
daring feats as a partisan were known to the Mexicans, 
and they were anxious to get him in their power, but 
he eluded all their efforts. 

Meanwhile Captain May had waited until daylight, 
and finding that Captain Walker did not return, he sup- 
posed he had been taken by the enemy, and as his own 
position would soon be an unsafe one, he decided to re- 
turn. In order to reconnoitre the enemy's position, he 
passed within half a mile of their camp at a full gallop. 
When about twelve miles from Point Isabel he encoun- 



104 CLAIM TO THE LOWER RIO GRANDE. 

tered a body of one hundred and fifty lancers, whom 
he charged and pursued nearly three miles ; but as their 
horses were fresh, and his much jaded, he was unable 
to overtake them. Fears were now entertained for the 
safety of Captain Walker, but all alarm was banished 
by his subsequent reappearance. He brought the in- 
formation that the firing of the batteries at Matamoras 
had recommenced on tlie morning of the 4th, but was 
kept up only at long intervals, and without producing 
any damage. 

The partial cessation of the enemy's fire enabled 
Major Brown to continue the work on the defences of 
the fort, without any serious molestation. On the night 
of the 4th the Mexicans crossed the river and erected 
a strong battery, provided with cannon and mortars, in 
the rear of his position. About five o'clock in the af- 
ternoon, the field-battery commenced playing, and at 
the same time a constant discharge of shot and shells 
was kept up from the batteries in Matamoras. The 
garrison were not daunted by reason of their being ex- 
posed to this cross fire, but returned it with spirit until 
the enemy's batteries were silenced for the day. To- 
wards evening detachments of Mexican lancers and 
rancheros were observed hovering about in the vicinity 
of the fort on the north and east. Lieutenant Hanson, 
at his request, was sent out with a party to reconnoitre, 
and returned with the intelligence that the enemy were 
making preparations to invest the fort. The invest- 
ment was completed before night, and Major Brown 
now fired his eighteen-pounders at regular intervals, 
which was the preconcerted signal to inform General 
Taylor of his situation. 

Having failed in his design of capturing the depot 
at Point Isabel, General Arista had drawn his forces 



DEATH OF MAJOR BROWN. 105 

around the fort opposite ]Matamoras, in the hope of ef- 
fecting its reduction before it could be reheved. The 
firing was renewed from his batteries, on the morninf]; 
of the Gth, with increased vigor. Owing to the scarcity 
of ammunition in the fort, Major Brown ordered his 
men to, cease firing, but to be prepared for resisting an 
assault. Soon after giving this order, he was struck by 
the fragments of a shell which exploded near him. The 
injury proved to be mortal, and terminated his career 
on the 9th of May. His loss to the service was a se- 
vere one, and, as General Taylor afterwards remarked, 
to the army under his orders it was " indeed irrepara- 
ble." 

After the fall of Major Brown, Captain Hawkins, of 
the same regiment, assumed the command. From the 
fact that the guns of the fort had ceased playing, the 
Mexicans supposed them completely silenced. About 
noon they also stopped firing, and every thing remained 
quiet for two hours, when one of their batteries com- 
menced a slow fire. The light companies near the fort 
moved within musket range, as if preparing for an as- 
sault, but were soon driven away by Captain Lowd's 
battery, which opened upon them. At five o'clock the 
IMexicans sounded a parley, and two officers approached 
tlie fort, with a written communication from General 
Arista, summoning the garrison to surrender, to which 
a reply was to be returned within one hour. A coun- 
cil of his officers was convened by Captain Hawkins, 
and the summons laid before them. The stern and 
unanimous response was — to defend the fort to the 
death ! * The reply of the American commander was 

* The reply of Captain Hawkins to that part of Arista's note sum- 
moning him to surrender, was so brief, and yet so pertinent, that it 
deserves to be copied: " Your humane communication," said lie, " has 



lOG THE DEFENCE CONTINUED. 

followed by a terrible cannonade, much more severe 
than any which had preceded it. At night the garrison 
slept on their arms, in readiness for the anticipated at- 
tack. During the whole of the following day they were 
on the alert. A severe cannonading was constantly 
kept up by the enemy, and assaulting parties were sev- 
eral times formed, though as often dispersed by a few 
rounds of canister and grape fired from the fort. In 
the evening Captain Mansfield sallied out with a party, 
and levelled the traverse and some clumps of chaparral, 
which had sheltered the sharp-shooters, whose fire had 
been quite annoying to the Americans. At midnight 
the garrison was aroused by volleys of musketry and 
bugle calls, which continued until near daylight. An 
assault was confidently anticipated, but the brave de- 
fenders of the fort were happily disappointed. 

At dawn of day on the 8th, the firing was renewed, 
and continued with very little intermission, until two 
o'clock in the afternoon. The forces of the enemy did 
not appear to be as numerous as they had been, and 
when this was discovered, the hopes of the garrison 
began to revive. Wearied and worn out with the con- 
stant watching, the labor and fatigue of the last six 
days, they lay down to rest themselves upon the ram- 
parts which had witnessed their long and anxious vigils. 
Their ammunition was reduced so low, that they had 
been ordered to refrain from firing, unless the enemy 
approached within eighty yards of the fort.* This, of 
itself, would have discouraged men who were not sus- 

just been received, and, after the consideration due to its importance, I 
must respectfully decline to surrender my forces to you." 

* The tents of the 7th infantry were cut up, also, during the bom- 
bardment of the fort, to make sand-bags for the protection of the gar- 
rison. 



MARCH OF TAYLOR FROM POINT ISABEL. 107 

tained by the indomitable courage that nerved their 
hands, and strengthened their hearts. They still feared 
the worst, but they did not wholly despond. For a 
few moments all was still, — and then the silence was 
suddenly broken by the thunder of heavy artillery. 
Each man sprang to his feet, and for an instant held 
his breath. Boom ! — boom ! — those low, deep echoes 
were repeated and prolonged in the distance. The 
sound could not be mistaken — General Taylor was on 
the road to rescue them — the bronzed countenances of 
that band were lit up by a smile of joy, and their glad 
hurrah rang loud and clear down the valley of the Rio 
Grande. 

On the 6th of May, a body of recruits for General 
Taylor's army arrived at Point Isabel. The garrison 
of the fort at the depot was strengthened by the addi- 
tion of this detachment ; and having completed his 
preparations, General Taylor left the Point on the af- 
ternoon of the succeeding day, with a force of about 
2,300 men, accompanied by a large wagon train con- 
taining his ammunition and supplies. Occasional guns 
were heard in the direction of Matamoras, which as- 
sured him that everything was right in that quarter. 
It was his determination to fight the enemy, if they of- 
fered him battle,* and his intentions were communicated 
to the army. On the night of the 7th, his forces bi- 
vouacked about seven miles from Point Isabel. The 
march was resumed on the following morning, and 
continued until about noon, when his cavalry advance 
reported that the Mexican army were drawn up in front, 
near the water hole of Palo Alto. 

♦ " If the enemy oppose my march, in whatever force, I shall fight 
him." — Letter of General Taylor to the adjutant general, May 7th, 
1846. 



108 THE FIELD OF PALO ALTO. 

The Mexican position was admirably chosen. Their 
column was over a mile in length. In front was the 
open prairie, flanked on either hand by small pools of 
fresh water, and surrounded by groves of dwarfish 
trees,* clumps of chaparral, and thickets of prickly 
pear. Their left, consisting of a hea^ry force of cav- 
alry, commanded by General Torrejon, occupied the 
road, resting on the chaparral in the rear, while to the 
right extended their long lines of infantry, with an oc- 
casional party of lancers. The artillery, twelve pieces 
in number, was posted in the intervals, under the di- 
rection of General Requena. General Ampudia acted 
as second in command to Arista. The array presented 
by his forces was splendid and striking ; the day was 
bright and clear ; and a slight breeze rustled among the 
leaves, and gently lifted the standards and guidons be- 
neath which they were marshalled for the fight. 

On reaching the water, General Taylor ordered a 
halt to refresh his men, who were thirsty and fatigued, 
though anxious to be led forward to the attack. Hav- 
ing filled their canteens, the troops were formed in 
line of battle. The right wing, commanded by Colonel 
Twiggs, consisted of the 5th infantry. Lieutenant Col- 
onel Mcintosh ; Major Ringgold's light artillery ; 3rd 
infantry, Captain Morris ; two eighteen pounders in 
command of Lieutenant Churchill ; and 4th infantry, 
Major Allen — the 3rd and 4th regiments, composing the 
third brigade, were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel 
Garland. The two squadrons of dragoons, under Cap- 
tains Ker and May, were also posted on the right. 
The left was couiposed of the battalion of artillery. 
Lieutenant Colonel Childs ; Captain Duncan's light ar- 
tillery ; and the 8th infantry, Captain Montgomery — 

* This species of tree is called " Palo Alto." 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE BATTLE. 109 

all forming the first brigade, and commanded by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Belknap. The wagon train was strongly- 
parked near the water in rear of the right wing, under 
the direction of Captains Crossman and Myers, and 
protected by Captain Ker's squadron. 

At two o'clock the army took up the march by heads 
of columns, all moving with the utmost regularity and 
promptitude, and the stillness broken only by their 
measured tread, the firm tones of command, the heavy 
tramp of cavalry, the rumbling wheels of the artillery, 
and the shrill notes of mart:"al music. While they were 
advancing, Lieutenant Blake, of the topographical en- 
gineers, volunteered a reconnaissance, which he exe- 
cuted in the most daring manner, to the admiration of 
all who beheld it. Approaching to v/ithin rifle shot of 
the enemy's line, he dismounted, and coolly surveyed 
their position with his spy-glass. He then remounted, 
and galloped along the whole line, discovering the ar- 
tillery, which had been previously masked by the tall 
grass of the prairie, and estimating the number of their 
cavalry and infantry with singular accuracy.* 

General Taylor halted his columns, and deployed 
them into line, within seven hundred yards of the en- 
emy, whose artillery began to pour forth its warlike 
music. Their guns were by no means skilfully served; 
the balls almost invariably bounced over the heads of 
the Americans, a.nd ricocheted along the plain in the 
rear, or ploughed deep furrows in the prairie, and filled 
the air with clouds of dust. On both sides the battle 
was mainly confined to the artillery. The guns of 
Ringgold, Churchill, and Duncan, were finely managed. 

• The career of this officer was brief indeed. He accidentally shot 
himself with one of his pistols on the morning of the 9th of May, and 

died before night. 



110 REPULSE OF THE MEXICAN LANCERS. 

For two hours the roar was almost deafening. Whole 
columns of the enemy were swept away, as if by the 
breath of the tornado. The American infantry exhib- 
ited the highest proof of soldiership, in remaining inac- 
tive under a severe fire, yet ready at any moment to 
protect the artillery from a charge of cavalry. The 
Mexican lancers grew impatient, and demanded that 
some movement should be made to check the fire com- 
mitting such dreadful havoc among them, or that they 
should be allowed to retire. General Torrejon led them 
to the charge on the right flank, but Colonel Twiggs 
promptly met it with the 5th infantry, Captain Walker's 
rangers, and a section of Ringgold's artillery, under 
Lieutenant Ridgely. They could not withstand the 
iron torrent poured upon them, and retreated in confu- 
sion. Colonel Montero rallied a part of the force, and 
reformed them ; but his advance was soon checked by 
the 3rd infantry. Meanwhile, the dry grass of the prai- 
rie had burst into a blaze, and dark, dense clouds of 
smoke almost shut out the light of day, and hung in 
heavy festoons over the combatants. The enemy's fire 
now slackened, and they fell back on the left nearer to 
the chaparral in their rear. 

The firing of both armies ceased for nearly an hour, 
and it was then resumed b}^ the Americans, with the 
same terrible effect before witnessed. General Taylor 
had been steadily gaining ground, and the eighteen- 
pounders occupied the position formerly held by the 
Mexican cavalry. The tw^o lines were nearly parallel, 
when the battle was renewed by incessant showers of 
balls thrown from the American batteries. The Mexi- 
can fire was concentrated, for a few moments, on the 
light battery of the right wing, and the eighteen-pound- 



RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. ill 

ers. Major Ringgold* was mortally wounded, while 
directing his pieces, and Captain Page, of the 4th 
infantry, which had been ordered to the support of 
Churchill's guns, also received a severe wound, under 
which he lingered for several weeks, but finally expired. 
The artillery companies, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Childs, were afterwards ordered up to defend the eigh- 
teen-pounders, which was bravely done. The battalion 
was formed in square to receive the charge of cavalry ; 
but the advancing squadrons were scattered by a deadly 
discharge of canister from the guns. A brisk fire of 
small arms was then opened on the square, which was 
silenced by a well-directed volley. 

Several attempts were made, in the meantime, to 
turn the left flank, but foiled by the vigilance of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Belknap, with the 8th infantry, the light 
battery, and the dragoons. Protected by the smoke, 
Captain Duncan dashed upon a column, before they 
were aware of his approach, and delivered a raking 
fire that drove them from the field with immense loss. 
About half an hour before sunset, Captain May made 
an attempt to charge the left flank of the enemy, but 
was forced to desist on account of the inadequacy of 
his force. 

Darkness at length separated the contending armies. 
The enemy retired into the adjoining chaparral, and 
during the night continued their retreat to a more 
favorable position, still further in the rear. They found 
it entirely useless to attempt a contest in the open plain. 

* Major Ringgold will long be remembered by the army and the 
country, for his accomplishments as an officer. The light artillery, now 
acknowledged to be one of ihe most efficient arms of the service, was 
introduced, and brought to its high state of perfection, mainly tkrough 
his instrumentality. 



112 LOSS OF THE TWO ARMIES. 

Their artillery was shown to be ineffective against the 
better-directed fire of the American batteries, and every 
attempt to outflank General Taylor's little army, al- 
though their force consisted of 6,000 men, was met by 
skilful manoeuvering. If a demonstration was made 
on the American right, that wing half-wheeled to the 
left by regiments, and marched by its right flank upon 
a point a little beyond the enemy's left ; if on the left, 
that wing half-wheeled to the right, and marched by its 
left flank on a point beyond the enemy's right. When 
the Mexican cavalry, availing themselves of the open 
spaces produced by these movements, prepared to 
charge, at the instant the word was given to form by 
companies, right and left, into line, and barriers of 
glittering steel were at once presented to check their 
progress. ^ 

The American loss in the battle of the 8th was ten 
killed, including the two officers, and forty-four wound- 
ed. That of the enemy was near one hundred and 
fifty killed, and three hundred wounded.* Worn out 
and overcome with fatigue, General Taylor's gallant 
army lay down upon the field where their courage had 
been so severely tested, while the dragoons kept watch 
around them, to think over the events of the day, and 
what the morrow might bring forth, and, perhaps, to 
dream of their far-off" homes, and of those who were 
near and dear. The night was serene and beautiful ; 
the early moon shed its mellow light over the scene ; 
but that dark pall of smoke still hung above the battle- 
field. 

Early in the morning of the 9th, General Taylor or- 
dered his command under arms, and called a council 
of war to decide upon the course it was proper to pur- 

♦ In his official dispatch, Arista set down liis total loss at 252. 



RESACA DE LA PALMA. 113 

sue. Differences of opinion prevailed ; some being in 
favor of returning to tiie Point ; others tliinking it best 
to intrench themselves in their position; and others 
still, recommending the resumption of the march in the 
direction of Matamoras. General Taylor reconciled 
all the differences, and closed the council, with the em- 
phatic declaration that he would be opposite Matamo- 
ras before night, if he lived ! 

Arista had not been discouraged by his defeat on the 
8th, and was determined to try his fortunes in a second 
engagement. About midway between the battle-ground 
at Palo Alto and the Rio Grande, and in the centre of 
the dense forest of chaparral extending from one point 
to the other, a distance of full seven miles, the road 
crosses a semi-circular ravine, with the opening towards 
Point Isabel, on an elevated ridge. Here it was decided 
to make another stand. Embankments were thrown 
up nearly breast high, and the infantry ranged in two 
lines, one under the front bank of the ravine, and the 
other behind the wall of chaparral on the opposite side. 
A strong battery was planted in the road, in the centre 
of the front line, and two smaller batteries on either 
side of the ridge, but on the rising ground in the rear. 
These were supported by veteran infantry regiments, 
and the Tampico battalion, a brave and well-appointed 
corps. Another battery was stationed on the right 
wing of the front line. During the night, and in the 
morning, Arista had ordered up reinforcernents, until 
his effective strength equalled, if it did not exceed, that 
of the previous day. The nature of the ground, how- 
ever, deprived him of the assistance of his cavalry in a 
great measure ; but this was more than counterbalanced 
by the strength of his position, surrounded, as it was, 
by almost impervious thickets, and the main road, the 



114 THE BATTLE. 

only open space, completely covered by his cannon. 
Such were the dispositions made by the Mexican gen- 
eral at the Resaca de la Palma,* for the reception of 
the American army on the road to the relief of the gar- 
rison opposite Matamoras. 

. General Taylor commenced his march about mid- 
day on the 9th, and on arriving at the edge of the chap- 
arral, learned that the enemy were in force upon the 
road in his front. The supply train was secured at its 
former position, and protected by the battalion of artil- 
lery, except the light companies, under Lieutenant 
Colonel Childs, and the two eighteen-pounders of Lieu- 
tenant Churchill, with two twelve-pounders which had 
not been in the action of the 8th. The wounded offi- 
cers and men were at the same time sent back to Point 
Isabel. Captain McCall was then detached with the 
light companies to feel the enemy. While moving 
along, he was suddenly fired upon by a masked battery, 
and lost several of his men. Having reconnoitred the 
enemy's position, he fell back within reach of support, 
and sent word to General Taylor. 

Lieutenant Ridgely, who had succeeded to the com- 
mand of Major Ringgold's battery, was now ordered to 
move forward, supported by the light companies. The 
5th infantry and one battalion of the 4th were thrown 
into the forest on the left, and the 3rd regiment and the 
other battalion of the 4th on the right, with orders to 
support the battery, and engage the Mexican infantry. 
Lieutenant Ridgely advanced at full speed, and imme- 
diately opened his fire. The Mexican batteries saluted 
him, in turn, with a constant roar, which continued 
for nearly an hour. Most of their balls flew over the 
heads of his men, otherwise they must have been lite- 
* The dry river, or ravine, of the Palm. 



CHARGE OF CAPTAIN MAY. 115 

rally cut to pieces. The Mexican infantr} gave way 
before the severe fire of musketry from the American 
line, but so long as their batteries continued to play, the 
advantage gained could not be improved. But one 
resource was left. Captain May was ordered up with 
his squadron of dragoons, and directed by General 
Taylor to charge the battery in the road. Ranging his 
men in column of fours, the captain gave the word to 
follow, and away they went with the speed of the wind. 
Halting a moment, while Lieutenant Ridgely drew 
the enemy's fire, they dashed on again, clearing the 
breastwork, and overturning the gunners at their posts, 
by the resistless impetuosity of their charge. The work 
was done, but the loss was severe. One officer, (Lieu-, 
tenant Inge,) and nine men of the squadron, with eigh- 
teen horses, were killed, and ten men, and the same 
number of horses, severely wounded. When Captain 
May reined in his steed on the opposite side of the ra- 
vine, but six of his men were within call, the remainder 
having been either killed, or unhorsed, or separated in 
the confusion of the melee ; with these he turned and 
captured the Mexican artillery, taking General La Vega 
prisoner, who had vainly endeavored to rally his men 
to the defence of their guns. 

At the same time with the charge of the dragoons, the 
American infantry advanced towards the ravine, and 
after a series of desperate hand-to-hand encounters, in 
which Lieutenant Colonels Belknap and Mcintosh,* 

* Colonel Belknap was at the head of the 8th infantry, and, in the 
thickest of the fight, seized a Mexican standard with which he waved 
his men on to the charge. The flag was soon after carried away by a 
ball, but he continued to press on with the staff still in his hand. Col- 
onel Mcintosh was attacked by a large body of Mexican lancers and 
infantry, in the midst of the chaparral. His horse fell dead beneath 
bim, and he was also thrown to the earth, and pinned down by a bay- 



116 DEFEAT OP THE MEXICANS. 

Captains Morris, Montgomery, Buchanan, and Baibour, 
particularly distinguished themselves, the enemy were 
completely defeated. The Mexican lancers were brought 
up, and attempted to stem the victorious Americans, 
now bearing every thing before them, but it was all in 
vain. The 5th infantry drove off the artillerists, who 
had returned to the guns silenced by Captain May, and 
the 4th captured Arista's camp, with his splendid pavil- 
ion, his official correspondence and dispatches, the mil- 
itary chest of the army, and large quantities of plate. 
The Tampico battalion was the last to quit the field, 
but they were routed, and their tri-colored standard, 
which they had so bravely defended, became the prize 
of the victors. Among the spoils were eight pieces 
of artiMery, several colors and standards, five hundred 
pack-saddles; stands of small arms, ammunition-boxes 
and cartridges, without number ; and, what was equally 
welcome to the American soldiers, an ample supper, 
which the Mexican cooks had provided in anticipation 
of the victory they expected to achieve. 

The defeat was total. The battalion of artillery, 
Captain Duncan's battery, and the dragoons, pursued 
the retreating columns of the enemy to the banks of the 
Rio Grande. Numbers of the fugitives were cut down 
in their flight, and when they reached the river, it wasj 
but to experience the crnehy and ingratitude of their 
eountrymen. The means provided for the crossing 
were totally inadequate, and when the flats were fillec 

Anet, which entered his mpjith and canje out behind his ear. Seizing 
the weapon with one hand, be raised his sword with the other to cui 
down his antagonists. He was then fastened more securely to tha 
groiUnd by two additionfU bayonets, one passing through his arm, an4 
tte other through his hip. Froni:this position he was fortunately res 
cued, and survived his wounds, terrrihle aad severe as they were, bu 
to fall An another gloxioos field. 



GARRISON m THE FORT RELIEVED. 117 

with the infantry, the lancers charged down upon them, 
and took the places of the occupants, who were driven 
over into the river, and drowned. The loss sustained 
by the Mexican army on this occasion must have been 
great — probably not less than five hundred in killed and 
wounded. A number of prisoners were also taken by 
the Americans, and among them were fourteen officers. 
General Taylor's loss was thirty-nine killed and eighty- 
three wounded. 

On the evening of the 8th of May, the long and anx- 
ious suspense, in which the American garrison opposite 
Matamoras remained during the battle at Palo Alto, 
was terminated by the arrival of a Mexican fugitive, 
from whom they learned the particulars of the conflict. 
They continued to fire their eighteen-pounders at inter- 
vals, to inform General Taylor that all was still well 
with them. The Mexican batteries again opened on the 
morning of the 9th, and kept up their fii'e until the can- 
nonading at Resaca de la Palma was heard, when they 
suddenly ceased, having continued the bombai'dment 
for upwards of one hundred and sixty hours. The gar- 
rison listened breathlessly to the roar of the artillery, 
and when it paused they well knew a charge had been 
made. In a short time the flying Mexicans came in 
sight, followed by the victors of the field, whose appear- 
ance was hailed with loud and hearty cheers from the 
garrison. Their heavy guns were now turned upon the 
Mexicans, and aided to complete the rout and over- 
throw. 

In a single week, the proud array with which Arista 
had crossed the Rio Grande, boasting of his ability to 
drive General Taylor from his position, and to capture 
his military stores and armament, had melted away like 
snow beneath the rays of a summer's sun. The inhab- 



118 EFFECT OF THE VICTORIES. 

itants of Matamoras had seen their army go forth to 
battle, confident that they should witness their return 
with the trophies of victory. The triumphal festival 
was in readiness, and wreaths and decorations prepared 
in honor of the deeds of gallantry and daring which 
. fancy pictured to their view. The tidings from Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma dissolved all their bright 
hopes and expectations, and filled their hearts with 
sadness and sorrow. Confusion and alarm usurped the 
places of merriment and festivity. Numbers of the 
citizens retired into the country with their efl^ects, and 
those who were left behind awaited the capture of the 
city, which they anticipated with fear and anxiety, but 
were powerless to prevent. 

Had General Taylor been supplied with the requisite 
means for crossing the river, his army might have 
bivouacked in the plaza of Matamoras, on the night 
after the battle at Resaca de la Palma. He had re- 
quested the government to furnish him with a ponton 
train several months previous, but this had been neg- 
lected, and he was therefore obliged to remain inactive 
for several days. 

But the victories achieved by General Taylor and 
his army were not without their good results. Besides 
effecting the complete expulsion of the Mexican forces 
from the territory north of the Rio Grande, and con- 
vincing the world that American valor and intrepidity 
did not exist only in name, they served to remove many 
unfounded, but long-cherished prejudices, which existed 
at home, and to pave the way for the brilliant cam- 
paign that followed. The army had been looked upon 
by many as an unnecessary organization — the soldiers 
were said to be inefficient, and the officers better fitted 
to grace the salons of fashion and pleasure, than to 



PREJUDICES DISPELLED. 119 

meet the stern realities of the battle-field. The mili- 
tary school at West Point had also received its portion 
of censure, and there were those who termed it a nur- 
sery for carpet-knights, instead of warriors. But how 
soon were these errors dispelled when the day of trial 
came, and that little band on the Rio Grande were seen 
fighting their way, inch by inch, and step by step, over- 
coming every obstacle, as if moved by one mind, and 
animated by one impulse ! — how soon did the American 
people learn to respect and admire the genius and skill 
of the brave men who were instructed on the banks of 
the Hudson, and imbued with the revolutionary spirit 
still lingering around the scenes where they were nur- 
tured ! 

It was fortunate for General Taylor, fortunate for 
the country, that the army under his orders was com- 
posed of regulars alone, who knew no such word as 
" fail !" Volunteers might have fought as well — their 
bravery has been too often tested to be doubted now — 
but had they faltered, what might have been the result? 
— and where the spirit of emulation that cheered and 
encouraged the citizen soldiers, who fought at Mon- 
terey and Buena Vista, at Cerro Gordo and Contreras? 

On the 10th of May, the Americans buried their dead, 
and an exchange of prisoners was effected, by means 
of which Captain Thornton and his command were re- 
covered. In honor of its brave defender, the field-work 
opposite Matamoras was called Fort Brown ; and the 
name of Fort Polk was given to the defences at Point 
Isabel. General Taylor, accompanied by a small escort, 
rode over to the Point in perfect security on the 11th, 
to meet Commodore Conner, who had left Vera Cruz 
with his squadron, on receiving the information that the 
Mexican troops were concentrating at Matamoras, and 



120 EXPEDITION AGAINST BURRITA. 

had now anchored ofTthe Rio Grande, with the inten- 
tion of rendering such assistance to the army as might 
be in his power. A combined expedition with the naval 
and land forces against the Mexican towns on the river 
was determined on, and five hundred sailors and ma- 
rines were landed and organized under the command 
of Captain Gregory. The movements of some of the 
old " salts" are stated to have been rather awkward at 
the first, but they soon learned to manoeuvre with the 
accuracy and precision of landsmen. 

It was reported, on the 13th instant, that the Mexi- 
cans were collecting a large force at Burrita, a small 
town on the southern shore of the Rio Grande, situate 
between Matamoras and the Gulf. An expedition was 
arranged for the capture of the town, but in conse- 
quence of the roughness of the bar, occasioned by the 
unfavorable weather, the boats from the squadron were 
unable to enter the river until the 15th, On the 14th 
General Taylor returned to Fort Brown with over six 
hundred men, mostly volunteers from Louisiana and 
Alabama, who had, just arrived, a train of artillery and 
mortars, and two hundred and fifty wagons containing 
army stores. Lieutenant Colonel Wilson crossed the 
river on the 15th with a battalion of the 1st infantry 
and three companies of volunteers, and took possession 
of Burrita without encountering any resistance. 

General Taylor was unable to complete his prepara- 
tions for the capture of Matamoras until the 17th of 
May. His arrangements having been perfected in the 
morning of that day, Colonel Twiggs was ordered to 
cross above the town with the advance, consisting of 
the light companies and regular and volunteer cavalry, 
to be followed by the main body of the army, while 
Lieutenant Colonel Wilson was directed to move up 



CAPTURE OF MATAMOEAS. 121 

thd river from Burrita, and thus make a diversion 
in their favor. Batteries were also set and mortars 
planted, for the purpose of bombarding the city, if 
any attempt should be made to defend it. Before the 
army had commenced its march up the river. General 
Taylor was waited upon by General Requena, who had 
been authorized by General Arista to treat for an armis- 
tice until the two governments should finally settle the 
questions in dispute. This was refused by General 
Taylor, inasmuch as he had proposed an armistice to 
General Ampudia, which had not been accepted, and 
now that hostilities had been provoked by the Mexi- 
cans, nothing would content him but the surrender of 
Matamoras, though the Mexican army would be per- 
mitted to retire, but not to take the public property 
with them. A reply to the answer given to General 
Requena was promised in the afternoon, but, as it did 
not come, General Taylor renewed his orders for cross- 
ing the river, which were carried into effect. It after- 
wards appeared that the proposition was only made to 
gain time. Arista left Matamoras during the night of 
the 17tli, with his forces, and on the following day Gen- 
eral Taylor took possession of the town without moles- 
tation. 

The Mexican citizens remaining in Matamoras were 
evidently inclined to look upon the Americans with fear 
and distrust. But a rigid system of police was estab- 
lished by the direction of Colonel Twiggs, who had 
been appointed governor of the city, and order and 
regularity took the place of the confusion which had 
prevailed. The inhabitants did not regard the change 
with indifference, and became at once more friendly and 
well disposed. Several hundred wounded Mexicans 
were found in Matamoras, and a quantity of military 

6 



122 PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 

Stores, which had been secreted by the enemy before 
leaving the city. Lieutenant Colonel Garland was dis- 
patched with a body of cavalry, upon the road takfen 
by the Mexican army, with orders to harass their rear. 
He pursued their route for sixty miles, when he returned, 
on account of the scarcity of water and the unfitness 
of his horses to proceed further, having had a slight 
skirmish with a small party which he captured. After 
establishing his army in comfortable quarters at Mata- 
moras, General Taylor sent out a party of the Texan 
rangers, under Captain McCulloch, who entered Rei- 
nosa, Camargo, Mier, and Reveilla, without opposition. 




J. C. FREMONT. 
Lieut. Col. Mounted Rifles. 



CHAPTER III. 

CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. 

Fremont's Expedition — Jealousy of the Mexican Authorities — Afftiir at 
Sonoma — Declaration of Independence — The Pacific Squadron — 
Capture of all the prominent points in the Californias— March of the 
Army of the West from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe — Conquest 
of New Mexico — Departure of General Kearny for California — 
Counter Revolution — Battle of San Pascual — Passage of the San 
Gabriel — Ciudad de los Angelos — Arrival of Troops, and complete 
occupation of the Country. 

The conquest of New Mexico and the Californias, 
though bloodless in comparison with the military opera- 
tions conducted in other, quarters of the Mexican re- 
public, and presenting but few incidents likely to be 
commemorated " in story and in song," is of too much 
consequence, both with reference to the geographical 
extent of the territory overrun, and the commercial 
advantages which it has been supposed would be se- 
cured by its acquisition, to be entirely lost sight of amid 
the more brilliant achievements of the war. There 
were no powerful armies in the field — there were few 
victories won — few trophies gained ; but our officers, 
both of the army and the navy, discharged the duties 
they were required to perform, faithfully and well, and 
therefore deserve to be commended. But little resist- 
ance was offered to their movements, yet whenever 
encountered, it was promptly met, and as promptly put 
down. In addition to the other important points on 



124 THE SANTA FK TRADE. 

the Pacific coast, the harbor of San Francisco, asserted 
by many of the ablest and most experienced navigators, 
to be the best and the safest on the North American 
continent,* now belongs to the United States. Its 
value as a depot of refreshments and supplies for Amer- 
ican whalemen, and its importance in connection with 
the China and East India trade, can scarcely be over 
estimated. In the progress of time it must become to 
our commerce with the Asiatic governments, what the 
city of New York now is to that with the countries 
lying along the Mediterranean, and the eastern shore 
of the Atlantic. 

Previous to the war, the trade between Santa F6 
and the United States, principally carried on through 
the city of St. Louis, amounted annually to nearly two 
millions of dollars. The profits realized by the Amer- 
ican citizens, whose active enterprise had established 
and fostered this inland commerce, early excited the 
envy of the Mexican government, and on the 23rd of 
September, 1843, a decree was issued forbidding for- 
eigners, after six months from the date of its promul- 
gation, from selling by retail any goods within the con- 
fines of Mexico. One of the objects of this decree 
was, to cut off the commerce between the United 
States and the province of New Mexico, and compel 
the latter to become tributary to the towns on the Gulf, 
or to secure to the Mexicans themselves the entire mo- 
nopoly of the retail trade. It also afforded the means 
of gratifying the cupidity of the officers appointed in 
New Mexico by the central government, and served as 
a cloak for imposition and extortion. Evasions of the 
ordinance were invited and connived at, only to be fol- 
lowed by the most arbitrary exactions. To such an 
* See Balbi's Apege de Geographie. 



Fremont's expedition. 125 

extent was this carried by Manuel Armijo, the gov- 
ernor of New Mexico, prior to and at the time of the 
commencement of the war, that, in repeated instances, 
a duty of five hundred dollars was collected on each 
wagon load of goods belonging to American traders. 
The permanent acquisition of this province will put an 
end to similar violations of international comity, and 
leave the trade free to seek its natural channel, un- 
checked and unrestrained. 

In the fall of 1845, Captain John C. Fremont,* of the 
corps of Topographical Engineers, was dispatched by 
the War Department, with a small party of men, armed 
and equipped for hunting, and for protecting themselves 
against the Indians, upon an exploring tour beyond the 
Rocky Mountains, the object of which was to discover, 
if possible, a new and shorter route to the mouth of the 
Columbia River. In^ order to accomplish his purpose, 
he found it necessary to enter the territory of Califor- 
nia, early in the winter of 1846. On the 29th of Jan- 
uary he halted his party about one hundred miles from 
Monf-rey, and proceeded alone to that city, to explain 
the obje.''t of his visit, and to secure permission to re- 
main durin g the winter in the valley of the San Joa- 
quim. General fJe Castro, the military commandant, 
complc.ined, at first, of the hostile appearance of the 
party ^ ^ut, on be'ng informed by Captain Fremont of 
'his rank, and of the peaceful object of his visit, the de- 
sired permission was granted, apparently with great 
cordiality. TKe capta;n immediately returned and 
brought his men nearer tcr the city, when he was ap- 
prised by Mr. Larldn, the A.'iierican Consul, that Gen- 

* This officer had been previously distiiiguished for his scientific dis- 
coveries, and his successful .ejptkrations oi' the country in the vicinity 
of the Rocky Mountains. 



126 AN ATTACK THREATENED. 

eral de Castro was raising a large force to attack him 
He had but sixty-two men, and was ill prepared to en- 
counter a body of troops superior to his own, and espe- 
cially so for the reason that nothing of the kind had 
been anticipated. 

Surprised and astonished at the treachery of the 
Mexican .officer, and conscious that an attack had not 
been provoked on his part, either by his acts or his in- 
tentions, Captain Fremont took a position about thirty 
miles from Monterey, on the summit of a mountain 
range overlooking the town, where he intrenched him- 
self, and raised the American flag, determined, in self- 
defence, to resist every attempt to dislodge him. De 
Castro did not approach within attacking distance, but 
remained in the vicinity for several days, apparently 
threatening a movement on the position occupied by 
the little band. No attack having been made. Captain 
Fremont marched out with the intention of resuming 
his journey towards Oregon, on the 10th day of March. 
Supposing that there was no more cause for siarm, he 
discharged a number of his party, who wished to re- 
main in the country, and refused to receive others in 
their stead, on account of his desire carefully to avoid 
arousing the prejudices or apprehe^isions of the Mex- 
ican authorities. Continuing his- march by slow de- 
grees, with de Castro following in his rear, accompa- 
nied by a force of near five hundred men ; and the 
hostile Indians, excited by the latter, constantly hover- 
ing in his neighborhood, and harassing his command ; 
he reached the Great Tlamath Lake, in the territory of 
Oregon, on the 15tb of May. The deep snow still lin- 
gering on the summits of the Sierra Nevada, obstructed 
his further progress, and the Tlamath Indians continued 
to annoy him. While here a courier arrived, who had 



PURSUIT OF DE CASTRO. 127 

been sent forward to say that Mr. Gillespie and five 
men were endeavoring to overtake him. Knowing the 
treacherous character of the savages in the vicinity, he 
accompanied the courier on his return, with ten men. 
The distance to be travelled was sixty miles, and he 
was unable to come up with the party in one day. 
His men were fatigued and wearied with the ride, and 
failed to keep guard during the night. This neglect 
well nigh proved destructive to the whole band. A 
number of Tlamath warriors, whom they had supplied 
but a few days before with tobacco and provisions, 
stole suddenly upon their encampment, and killed three 
of the men, and wounded a friendly Delaware. The 
savages were finally repulsed, and Captain Fremont 
soon after returned to the Bay of San Francisco, with 
his whole party. While on his way, he had several 
encounters with the Indians, in which both he and his 
men behaved with great gallantry. 

While yet hesitating what course to adopt, Captain 
Fremont was informed that General de Castro was 
rapidly approaching, with the design of cutting oflT his 
party, and destroying or driving from the country the 
American settlers in the valley of the Sacramento.* 
The security of his men, and of the inhabitants who 
had once been his countrymen, was now placed in ex- 
treme jeopard}^, and it became necessary that prompt 
and decided measures should be instantly adopted. 
The permanent safety of the settlers appeared to de- 
pend, not merely on the defeat of de Castro, but on the 

• Captain Fremont was charged by the Mexican authorities with in- 
stigating the American settlers to revolt. When he occupied his in- 
trenched position overlooking Monterey, the settlers manifested a dispo- 
sition to take part with him against de Castro, and probably would have 
done so had he been attacked. This appears to have been the only 
foundation for the charge. 



128 S .!!lMISHI^G NEAR THE SAN FKANCISCO. 

total overthrow of the Mexican authority, and the 
establishment of an independent government in Cali- 
fornia. On the 6th of June, 1846, Captain (now Lieu- 
tenant Colonel) Fremont* determined to accomplish 
these objects. Boldly turning on his pursuers, by a 
series of rapid movements, conceived and executed 
with equal daring and skill, he soon drove the Mexican 
general from that portion of the territory north of the 
Bay of San Francisco. On the 11th of June, a party 
of de Castro's men, consisting of one officer and four- 
teen privates, with two hundred horses, were surprised 
and captured by twelve of Lieutenant Colonel Fre- 
mont's command. At daybreak on the 15th instant, 
the military post a*t Sonoma was taken, with nine brass 
cannon, two hundred and fifty stand of arms, a quan- 
tity of ammunition, and a number of prisoners, among 
whom were Colonel Vallejo and several other officers. 
Leaving a garrison of twelve men to defend the post, 
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont proceeded to the Rio de 
los Americanos, a branch of the Sacramento, to pro- 
cure assistance from the American settlers. Soon after 
he reached there, an express arrived with the informa- 
tion that de Castro was preparing to cross the bay and 
attack the post. This intelligence was received in the 
afternoon of the 23rd of June, and he immediately re- 
turned with ninety mounted riflemen, whom he had 
collected in the valley. By riding night and day, they 
traversed the intervening distance of eighty miles be- 
fore two o'clock on the morning of the 25th. The 
enemy had not yet made their appearance. A party 
of twenty men were sent out to reconnoitre, and fell 
in with the vanguard of de Castro's force, consisting 

♦ He was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the regiment of mounted 
riflemen, on the 27th of May, 1846. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCF 129 

of seventy dragoons, who had just crossed the bay. A 
smart skirmish ensued, which resulted in the defeat of 
the Mexicans, with the loss of five men in killed and 
wounded. Fremont's party were uninjured. The 
Mexican commander, De la Torre, escaped with his 
men, losing his transport boats and his artillery, the 
latter being spiked. [ 

Having succeeded in driving the Mexicans from the 
northern shore of the bay, Lieutenant Colonel Fremont 
returned to Sonoma on the 4th of July. On the fol- 
lowing day he collected the Americans together, and, 
after explaining the condition of things in the territory, 
advised an immediate declaration of their independ- 
ence. This was accordingly made, and he was select- 
ed to assume the chief direction of affairs. In the 
meantime de Castro had established himself at Santa 
Clara, an intrenched post on the south side of the bay, 
with four hundred men and two pieces of field artillery. 
An attack on his position was decided on. In order 
to reach Santa Clara, it was necessary to make a cir- 
cuit of upwards of one hundred miles. Lieutenant 
Colonel Fremont commenced his march on the 6th of 
July, with one hundred and sixty mounted riflemen, 
and in three days reached the American settlements on 
the fork of the Sacramento. Here he learned that de 
Castro had abandoned Santa Clara, and was retiring to 
Ciudad de los Angelos,* the place of residence of the 
governor-general of the Californias, and about four 
hundred miles south of San Francisco. Every thing 
was prepared for continuing the pursuit, when the in- 
formation was received that the war had been com- 
menced, and that Commodore Sloat had taken the 
ports on the Pacific. The American flag was now 

♦ City of the Angels. 
6* 



130 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMODORE SLOAT. 

substituted for the flag of independence, and the party 
started to overtake de Castro. They captured St. 
Johns on the 18th of July, a few hours previous to the 
arrival of Purser Fauntleroy, who had been sent by 
Commodore John D. Sloat to hoist the flag of the 
United States at the mission, and to recover some 
cannon and munitions of war which had been buried 
by the enemy. In company with the naval forces, 
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont returned to Monterey on 
the 19th instant. 

While lying off Mazatlan, on the 7th of June, Com- 
modore Sloat, then in command of the Pacific squad- 
ron, was informed that the Mexican troops had crossed 
the Rio Grande and attacked General Taylor's army, 
and that the squadron under Commodore Conner was 
then blockading the Mexican ports in the Gulf. In ac- 
cordance with instructions previously issued,* he sailed 
for the coast of California, to commence offensive op- 
erations, on the 8th instant, in the frigate Savannah. 
He arrived off" Monterey on the 2nd of July, and on 
the 7th summoned the town to surrender. A definite 
answer was not returned to his summons ; whereupon 
a body of marinfes and sailors were landed, in order to 
capture the place. No resistance was oflfered ; and the 
American flag was raised in the town without opposi- 
sition. On the 8th, Commander Montgomery, of the 
sloop of war Portsmouth, took possession of San Fran- 
cisco and the adjoining country, in the name of the 
government of the United States. Commodore Rob- 
ert F. Stockton arrived at Monterey, in the frigate 
Congress, on the 15th of July, and on the 23rd was 
ordered to duty on shore. 

* The instructions to Commodore Sloat were issued on the 24th of 
June, 1845, but did not reach him until several months afterwards. 



THE CALIFORNIA BATTALION. 131 

On his arrival at Monterey, Lieutenant Colonel Fre- 
mont informed Commodore Sloat of his proceedings, 
and of his desire to capture the foi'ce under de Castro. 
The commodore declined to aid him in the enterprise, 
as he was about to return to the United' States, in con- 
sequence of his enfeebled health ; but when the author- 
ity on shore was intrusted to Commodore Stockton, he 
entered into the project at once, and gave it a most 
hearty and efficient support. A battalion of mounted 
riflemen, consisting mainly of the American settlers in 
California, was immediately formed, and the command 
given to Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, with the rank 
of major — the fact of his promotion being still unknown 
in California. This force was organized for the pur- 
pose of co-operating with the marines and sailors em- 
ployed on the land under the orders of Commodore 
Stockton. 

It was understood, at this time, that Pio Pico, the 
Governor of California, and General de Castro, the 
military commandant, were near Ciudad de los Ange- 
los, at the head of seven hundred cavalry, well mounted, 
and brave and expert horsemen.* A threatening proc- 
lamation had been issued by the governor, denouncing 

* The force under Pico and de Castro was chiefly composed of armed 
Californians, under Mexican leaders. The former are celebrated for 
their skilful horsemanship, and their dexterity in the use of the lance. 
Their horses are small, but remarkably fleet, easily trained, and capable j 
of great endurance. In March, 1847, Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, 
with two companions, travelled on horseback, from Ciudad de los Ange- 
los, to Monterey, and returned again immediately, at the rate of one 
hundred and twenty-five miles in a day. Each of the party had three 
horses,which were in turn, under the saddle. The six loose horses ran 
ahead, without bridle or halter, and wore caught with the lasso when 
required. At the end of the journey the horses were apparently as 
fresh as ever. The riders, also, it may be added, showed themselves 
capable of enduring extraordinary hardship and fatigue without diffi- 
culty. 



132 COMMODORE STOCKTON AT SAN PEDRO. 

the foreigners in the territory, and expressing his deter- 
niination to drive them forthwith from the soil of Cali- 
fornia. On the 25th of July, the sloop of war Cyane, 
Captain Mervine, sailed from Monterey, with Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Fremont and his battalion, for San Diego, 
to intercept the retreat of General de Castro, while 
Commodore Stockton was to land at San Pedro, and 
attack him in front. Commodore Sloat gave up the 
entire command of the squadron to Commodore Stock- 
ton, on the 29th, and returned home. The latter soon 
completed his arrangements for the contemplated at- 
tack on de Castro. He left Monterey on the 1st of 
August, in the Congress, and arrived at San Pedro, 
about twenty-eight miles from Ciudad de ios Angelos, 
on the 6th ; having stopped at Santa Barbara on the 
way, and taken possession of the place. In the mean- 
time Lieutenant Colonel Fremont had reached San 
Diego, and landed with his battalion, but experienced 
great difficulty in procuring horses. He succeeded, at 
length, in mounting his men, and pushed forward in 
the direction of the enemy, who were encamped on the 
Misa, with seven pieces of artillery. 

Commodore Stockton landed at San Pedro, with a 
force of three hundred and sixty sailors and marines, 
established a camp, and commenced drilling and in- 
structing his men. Not being provided with field artil- 
lery> he procured two or three pieces of small ordnance 
from a merchant ship, and mounted them on cart- 
wheels, together with an eighteen-pounder carronade 
taken from his own ship. While engaged in making 
these preparations, two commissioners came from the 
camp of de Castro, with a flag of truce, to enter into 
negotiations. The gallant commodore cheerfully lis- 
tened to their propositions ; but when informed that, as 



CAPTURE OF CIUDAD DE LOS ANGEL03. 133 

a preliminary step to negotiation, he must pledge him- 
self to remain where he was with his forces, he instantly 
closed the conference, and informed the commissioners 
that this was out of the question, and that he " would 
either take the country, or be whipped out of it !" One 
of the commissioners returned, in a few days, with a 
letter from General de Castro, written in the most ex- 
travagant language, and proclaiming his determination 
to defend the territory to the last. The commodore 
declined making any reply to the communication, but 
sent orders to Lieutenant Colonel Fremont to join him 
on the route, and commenced his march. Notwith- 
standing his boastful declarations, the Mexican general 
wisely concluded not to risk an engagement with the 
force advancing against him; his cannon were buried; 
his men dispersed ; and Governor Pio Pico and him- 
self fled to Sonora for safety. 

The commodore was joined on his march by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Fremont, with his battalion of volunteer 
riflemen, numbering one hundred and twenty men. 
The retreat of the enemy was so precipitate that they 
could not overtake them, and they entered Ciudad de 
los Angelos, and took possession of the government 
house, without opposition. Parties of the riflemen 
were sent out to capture the Mexican officers who had 
headed the Californians.* A number of them were 
taken, but were allowed to go at large on their parole. 
Commodore Stockton soon after issued his proclama- 
tion, declaring the territory of California to be a part 
of the United States, by right of conquest, and an- 
nouncing himself as the governor thereof. Lieutenant 

♦ The inhabitants of California are principally of Indian, or mixed 
descent, and military officers were sent from Mexico to take command 
of them. 



1^4 TROOPS SENT TO CALIFORNIA. 

Colonel Fremont was appointed military commandant 
of the territory ; laws and regulations were established, 
and officers selected to enforce them. In the brief pe- 
riod of sixty days possession had been taken of every 
important town in the territory, and it was supposed 
that the conquest was permanently secured.* 

From the necessity of the case, the government of 
the United States relied upon the naval squadron in 
the Pacific to commence offensive movements in Cali- 
fornia, on the breaking out of the Vv^ar. It was fore- 
seen, however, that the presence of a military force 
would be necessary to secure the possession of the 
country. Accordingly, a company of artillery was 
embarked from New York, in August, 1846, and fol- 
lowed, in September, by a regiment of volunteer in- 
fantry, under Colonel Stevenson.f On the arrival of 
these troops, and of General Kearny with such part of 
his force as could be spared from New Mexico, it was 
expected that the command on shore would be assumed 

♦ The instructions issued to the officers commanding the Pacific 
squadron contemplated the establishment of a temporary civil govern- 
ment in California, but did not authorize any political rights to be con- 
ferred on the inhabitants ; leaving it for the event of the war to deter- 
mine, whether the jurisdiction thus assumed, as an incident to the 
conquest, should be permanent. — Letter of the Secretary of the Navy, 
June 14, 1847. — Special message of President Polk, 2nd session, 29th 
Congress. 

+ The regiment of volunteers commanded by Colonel Stevenson, was 
raised upon the condition that they should be discharged, whcrevei 
they might be, at the termination of the war, provided it was in a terri- 
tory of the United States. Men were selected to compose it, under the 
instructions of the Secretary of War, who would be likely to remain in 
Oregon, or in that quarter of the country, in order that the authority 
of the United States, if the territory of California should be perma- 
nently acquired by the terms of a treaty of peace, might be more read- 
ily maintained, through the instrumentality, if necessary, of the American 
settlers. 




BK.IGAD1EU GKNL. STEl'HKN WATT^ KEAltMEV. 



THE ARMY OF THE WEST. 135 

by the officers of the army, and that the naval squadron 
would enforce the blockade. Instructions to this effect 
were issued from the Navy Department, but did not 
reach the commanding officer of the Pacific squadron 
until February, 1847.* The company of artillery ar- 
rived in California in the same month, and the regiment 
under Colonel Stevenson in March following. 

On the 30th day of June, 1846, General Kearny, 
who had been assigned to the command of " the Army 
of the West," left Fort Leavenworth with a force of 
about 1,000 men, on his march towards New Mexico. 
Before entering the enemy's territory, he was reinforced 
by a battalion of Mormon emigrants, on their way to 
Oregon or California, who were mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States, and placed under the com- 
mand of Major Cooke, of the 2nd dragoons. With 
this and other additions, his army was subsequently in- 
creased to near 1,900. The regular dragoons, com- 
manded by Major Sumner, were but two hundred 
strong ; the remainder of the force was composed of 
volunteers. A large part of the latter, however, were 
mounted men, and many of them, in addition to their 
ordinary arms, were provided with knives and revolv- 
ing pistols. Their artillery consisted of eight long 
brass six-pounders, and two twelve-pounder howitzers. 

Pursuing the military road, the Army of the West 
crossed the grassy prairies lying between the Missouri 
and Kansas rivers, and clothed at this season of the 
year in the richest verdure, and gemmed with count- 
less flowers, of every shape and hue. On the 4th of 
July they struck the main road leading from Independ- 
ence to Santa Fe, at Elm Grove, and were soon upon 

* See the Proceedings of the Court Martial for the trial of Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Fremont. 



136 THE GREAT PR MRIE. 

the Great Prairie, extending to the north and to the 
south, to the east and to the west, miles on miles, the 
same monotonous plain, for ages the pasture-ground of 
the elk and the buffalo, and its solitary echoes woken 
but rarely by the sound of human voices. Occasion- 
ally their path was crossed by a small stream murmur- 
ing softly along on its way to mingle its waters with 
those of the mighty river of the AVest ; and the fresh 
green foliage of the timber skirting its banks would 
form a most agreeable contrast to the short dry grass 
of the intervening waste, broken only here and there 
by small tufts of bushes, or giving place to sandy bar- 
rens, still more cheerless and uninviting. The parties 
of Indians whom they discovered on the prairie avoid- 
ed their track, and the buffalo fled at their approach. 
Their appearance, however, enlivened the scene, and 
it was a relief even to encounter the habitations of the 
prairie-dogs, whose burrows teemed with an unnum- 
bered progeny. At sunset they were cheered by the 
breeze which swept over the plain, refreshing them 
with its cool breath, after a day of weary travel ; but 
very often when they lay down to rest, the mournful 
howl of the gray wolf, who roamed about the encamp- 
ment, was the only lullaby to which they listened. 

The army reached the Arkansas on the 19th of July, 
and continued their march along its northern bank to 
Bent's fort,* a small post established for trading with 
the Indians, where they arrived near the close of the 
month. This was the rendezvous of the different de- 
tachments, and large quantities of stores had been sent 
here to await their arrival. Having refreshed his men 

♦ This post is 574 miles from Fort Leavenworth. It was established 
by George and Charles Bent, the latter of whom was appointed Gov- 
ernor of New Mexico by General Kearny. 



GENERAL KEARNY IN NEW MEXICO. 137 

by a short halt, and supplied himself with mules to 
draw the artillery, instead of the horses which were 
completely worn down in the march, General Kearny 
proceeded on his route. After leaving the valley of 
the Arkansas the country became more mountainous. 
The road lay over the spurs of the Cordilleras, between 
the head waters of the Cimmaron and Canadian rivers, 
and those of the Rio Grande. The first range which 
they crossed was the Raton. The scene presented 
from its summit is described as being of great sublim- 
ity.* To the northwest was Pike's Peak, the highest 
point of the Rocky Mountains north of the city of Chi- 
huahua ; while to the south and west were tall moun- 
tain ridges, some covered with evergreens, but most of 
them mere masses of rock, entirely destitute of wood, 
here glistening like silver in the sunlight, and there 
" grim, old, and gray," as the ruins of antiquity. To 
those who gazed upon them, it was easy to fancy they 
often saw in the distance the turrets and donjon keep 
of a feudal castle, with the banners of its lord streaming 
proudly in the wind from the time-worn battlements ; 
and further on, the tottering spire, the crumbling 
arch, and broken nave, of some old cathedral fallen to 
decay. 

General Kearny arrived at the Lower Moro, the 
first Mexican town upon the road to Santa Fe, on the 
13th of August, and at the Upper Moro, on the follow- 
ing day. At the latter point there was a fort which 
had been occupied by a small party of soldiers, who had 
retired on the approach of the American army. At 
each village through which he passed, General Kearny 
directed the alcalde to take the oath of allegiance to 

• Journal of Lieut. Emory. 



138 CAPTURE OF SANTA Fjfi. 

the United States, and assured him and the citizens 
generally, that their persons, property and religion, 
would be sacredly respected. 

While at the Upper Moro, the scouts sent out by 
General Kearny reported that the enemy were in 
force at the Moro Pass, a defile among the mountains 
about a mile distant from the village. On arriving 
there his men were drawn up in battle array, and prep- 
arations made to dislodge the Mexican forces. Just 
as the army were advancing, the general was informed 
that the enemy had retreated to the Pecos Pass, a re- 
markably strong position still further in the rear. At 
this place the caiion, or valley, is contracted to a nar- 
row gorge not more than twenty yards wide, through 
which the road passes on a shelf of rock jutting out 
from the cliffs, which rise almost perpendicular, seve- 
ral hundred feet high, on each side of the pass. Gov- 
ernor Armijo had collected here between three and 
four thousand men, with an apparent determination to 
dispute the passage with the American army. At the 
top of the ascent he planted his artillery, which raked 
the road, and were protected by a breastwork of felled 
trees. The mountain barriers securely guarded his 
flanks, and the position could only have been taken by 
a coup de jnain. With resolute detenders it might 
have been the Thermopylae of New Mexico ; but Ar- 
mijo and his officers concluded to abandon it without 
firing a single gun in its defence, and retired in hot 
haste to Chihuahua. General Kearny passed through 
the defile, and entered the city of Santa Fe, the capital 
of New Mexico, on the 18th of August, without en- 
countering the least resistance. Proceeding to the 
governor's house he took formal possession of the city 
and province. The American flag was hoisted in the 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED. 139 

plaza, and a salute of thirteen guns fired in honor of 
the bloodless conquest which had been achieved.* 

On the 23rd of August General Kearny issued his 
proclamation, declaring the department of New Mexico 
to be a part of the United States, absolving the inhab- 
itants from their allegiance to the Mexican republic, and 
claiming them as American citizens. A civil govern- 
ment was organized, and the proper officers appointed. f 

The citizens of Santa Fe appeared quite down- 
hearted and dispirited for several days after the arrival 
of the American army ; but General Kearny took 
every opportunity to pacify them, and adopted the 
most rigorous measures to prevent the commission of 
any injur ' to their persons or property by his troops. 
Their apprehensions gradually disappeared, and it was 
not long before it seemed to be a matter of indifference 
what rulers exercised authority over them, provided 
they could dispose of their choice Muscatel grapes, 
their melons and peaches, their corn and red peppers, 
to good advantage, and be allowed to drink their wine 
or coffee, and smoke their cigaritos, undisturbed. In 
order that no excesses or outrages should be committed, 
aiid that the efficiency of the army might remain un- 

* The whole distance from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, travelled 
by the American army in six weeks, was 883 miles. 

■f General Kearny was authorized to establish a temporary civil 
government in New Mexico, and all his measures designed to promote 
this object were approved by the government of the United States ; but 
so far as he attempted to confer any political rights of a permanent char- 
acter, his course was disapproved. His absolving the inhabitants of 
New Mexico from their allegiance, if it had any effect, simply amounted 
to a declaration that while the authority of his government was exerted 
in the province, and they refrained from taking up arms, they would 
not be treated as enemies. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General 
Kearny, January 11, 1817.— Special Message of President Polk, 2nd 
session, 29th Congress. 



140 DEPARTURE FOR CALIFORNIA. 

impaired, the coffee-house keepers were forbidden to 
sell liquor to the American soldiers, and gaming of 
every kind was prohibited.* Order and quiet were 
established, and every thing wore a peaceful and con- 
tented aspect. 

Early in September General Kearny made a recon 
naissance down the valley of the Rio Grande, accom- 
panied by 750 men. He passed through San Domingo, 
Albuquerque and Valencia, as far as Tomae, about one 
hundred miles below Santa Fe, from whence he re- 
turned, without discovering any evidences of a desire 
to resist his authority. A party of fifty men were soon 
after sent to the north to bring in some Apache chiefs, 
with whom a treaty was formed on favorable terms. 
The conquest of the province having been effected, 
and tranquillity perfectly restored, General Kearny 
appointed Charles Bent governor of the territory, and 
departed for California on the 25th of September, at- 
tended by Major Sumner with 300 of the 1st dragoons. 
Proceeding down the river to Albuquerque he crossed 
over to the right bank, and continued his way south 
until the 5th of October, when he met an express sent 
by Commodore Stockton and Lieutenant Colonel Fre- 
mont, who reported that they were already in posses- 
sion of the Californias, and that the war was ended in 
that quarter. On receiving this welcome intelligence 
he directed Major Sumner to return with 200 of the 
dragoons, reserving the remainder as an escort for him- 

* The inhabitants of New Mexico are inveterate gamesters, and pa»- 
monatcly devoted to their favorite " monte." As in California, the great 
majority are the descendants of the ancient Aztec tribes. Those of 
Spanish descent are comparatively few, yet they treat the Indian popu- 
lation, though more numerous than themselves, rather like serfs than 
fellow-citizens. 



COUNTER REVOLUTION. 141 

Beir. Following the valley of the Rio Grande for the 
distance of two hundred and thirty miles bslovv Santa 
Fe, he there left the river, and marched westward, by 
the way of the Copper Mines, to the Rio Gila, where 
he arrived on the 20th instant. He then proceeded 
down this stream to its junction with the Colorado of 
the West, a distance of five hundred miles ; halting but 
two days on the road, at the village of the Penos In- 
dians, to obtain provisions and recruit his horses. His 
course now lay down the Colorado for forty miles, and 
thence sixty miles a,cross the southern extremity of the 
great desert of California.* His long and toilsome 
march terminated on the 2nd of December, when he 
entered one of the frontier settlements of the territory. 
Hearing that a counter-revolution had taken place in 
the Californias, he dispatched a messenger to Commo- 
dore Stockton, with a letter requesting that a party 
might be sent out to open a communication with him. 
Without waiting for a reply, he moved forward cau- 
tiously, and was met on the 5th instant, about forty 

• "This immense plain, the existence of which was until very re- 
cently wholly unknown, is situated in the central part of Upper or New 
California. It is limited on the north by a mass of rocks, which sepa- 
rate it from the head waters of the Lewis river, on the west by an irreg- 
ular chain of mountains, extending in parallel ridges along the shores of 
the Pacific ocean, on the east by the western branches of the Colorado, 
and on the south by the valley of the Colorado. Its area is equal to 
that of Virginia, and consists of an elevated plateau or table land, 
flanked on all sides by descents more or less inclined, according to their 
geological structure. * * * It presents Httle less than an arid sur- 
face, broken at intervals by a few detached mountains, of limited ex- 
tent, but rising in some instances above the region of perpetual snow. 
Prom these mountains small streams flow during the rainy seasons. On 
reaching the plains, these torrents instantly disappear in the sand, leav- 
ing no other trace of their existence than the fragments of rocks and 
other debris, which are borne down by the currents, and deposited at the 
bases of the hills." — Re-issue, American Family Magazine, Part 14. 



142 REVOLT IN THE CAPITAL. 

miles from San Diego, by a detachment of California 
volunteers, and carbineers from the Congress, with a 
field-piece, under Captain Gillespie, from whom he 
learned the particulai's of the attempted revolution. 

Commodore Stockton left Ciudad de los Angelos, 
with his sailors and marines, on the 2nd of September, 
and proceeded to San Francisco, at which place he 
designed to make arrangements for an attack on Ma- 
zatlan and Acapulco, in conjunction with Lieutenant 
Colonel Fremont. The latter joined him on the 12th 
of October, with 170 men of his battalion, having left 
Captain Gillespie with a small party in command at 
the capital. The expedition immediately started ; the 
Commodore sailing with his force for San Pedro, in 
the Congress ; and Lieutenant Colonel Fremont in a 
vessel chartered for the purpose, intending to land at 
Santa Barbara. 

No sooner had the greater part of the American 
forces been withdrawn from the vicinity of the capital, 
than symptoms of a revolt began to be manifested. The 
inhabitants did not appear willing to acquiesce at once 
in this sudden change of their government, and the 
disaffected were encouraged to make resistance by the 
Mexican officers still in the territory. An appeal to 
arms was determined on, and a body of the enemy, 
numbering five or six hundred, took the field under the 
command of General Flores. Captain Gillespie was 
besieged in the government house and forced to capit- 
ulate, having obtained permission, however, to retire 
with his men on board the Savannah, then lying off 
San Pedro. Captain Mervine, in command of the 
frigate, promptly landed a portion of his crew, and 
marched towards the capital. He met a party of the 
enemy with one piece of artillery, a short distance 



RISING AT SANTA BARBARA. 143 

from San Pedro, whom he attacked. Being without 
artillery, and finding it impossible to capture that of 
the enemy, on account of the speed of their horses 
which they attached to the piece whenever a charge 
was attempted, he returned to the vessel, having lost 
several men in killed and wounded. 

About the time that these insurrectionary move- 
ments commenced, an armed Mexican schooner, the 
Malek Adhel, appeared on the coast, and was cap- 
tured by the sloop of war Warren. A rising also took 
place at Santa Barbara, which was put down without 
difficulty ; the enemy appearing to concentrate their 
forces between San Diego and the capital, with the de- 
sign of making their principal effort in that quarter. 

Lieutenant Colonel Fremont found that he would be 
unable to mount his command at Santa Barbara, and 
therefore landed at Monterey. After considerable de- 
lay he succeeded in providing horses for his men, and 
set out towards the capital. In the meantime, Com- 
modore Stockton had left San Pedro, and sailed for 
San Diego, which he found to be threatened by the 
enemy. The body of sailors and marines whom he 
had before employed on shore, and who cheerfully per- 
formed the duties of cavalry, infantry and artillery, as 
occasion required, were landed forthwith, and prepara- 
tions commenced for re- subjugating the country in an 
effectual manner. Matters were in this position when 
General Kearny arrived in the territory. 

On his way to join General Kearny, Captain Gil- 
lespie learned that there was an armed party of Cali- 
fornians, with a number of extra horses, at San Pascual, 
about three leagues distant on another road leading to 
San Diego. Lieutenant Hammond was sent forward 
with a party in the evening to make a reconnaissance. 



144 SKIRMISH AT SAN PASCUAL. 

He returned at two o'clock in the morning of the 6th 
of December, and reported that he had discovered the 
enemy, who had seen but did not pursue him. At 
break of da}' the whole force was in motion. Captain 
Johnston led the advance guard of twelve dragoons 
mounted on the best horses ; then followed fifty dra- 
goons under Captain Moore, most of whom were 
mounted on the mules which they had ridden from 
Santa Fe,* Captain Gillespie's volunteers, two moun- 
tain howitzers managed by dragoons, and commanded 
by Lieutenant Davidson ; the rest of the troops, in- 
cluding the men from the squadron under Lieutenant 
Beall and Passed Midshipman Duncan, remained in the 
rear with the baggage, under the direction of Major 
Swords. 

At the dawn of day they approached the enemy, 
who were already in the saddle. They proved to be 
a body of men, about 160 strong, under Andre Pico, 
brother of the late governor. Captain Johnston charged 
furiously upon them with the advance, followed by the 
remainder of the dragoons. They could not meet the 
shock, and gave way in a few moments ; General 
Kearny, with Captain Moore and the mounted men, 
were soon in hot pursuit. The Californians were well 
mounted, and discovering that a part of the Americans 
had become separated from their companions, turned 
like lightning upon them. For five minutes the ground 
was fiercely contested, the enemy inflicting terrible 
wounds with their long lances, and displaying no little 
dexterity and promptness in their manoiuvres. On the 
approach of the remainder of General Kearny's force, 
they abandoned the field, carrying away most of their 
dead and wounded, — only six being left behind them. 

« The distance travelled fronai Santa Fe was 1,050 miles. 



GENERAL KEARNY REINFORCED. 145 

General Kearny was unable lo bring his howitzers into 
action, in consequence of the mules before them be- 
coming frightened and unmanageable. 

The affliir at San Pascual was of brief duration, but 
spirited, and attended with the loss of several valuable 
officers. Captain Johnston fell at the commencement 
of the action, and Captain Moore and Lieutenant Ham- 
mond were lanced when the enemy turned upon them. 
General Kearny himself received two severe lance 
wounds. The total loss was three officers killed, and 
four wounded ; sixteen privates killed, and eleven 
wounded. 

On the following morning General Kearny buried 
his dead and provided ambulances for the wounded, 
when the march was resumed. The enemy appeared 
on the hills in their front, but retired on their approach, to 
San Bernardo, where they took possession of a hill and 
seemed inclined to make a stand. The advance drove 
them from this position, killing and wounding five of 
their number, v/ithout loss to themselves. The situa- 
tion of his command General Kearny now found to be 
hazardous in the extreme. A number of them were 
wounded ; they were but ill provided, and surrounded 
by enemies, evidently watching an opportunity to cut 
off the whole party. Orders were therefore given to 
encamp, and an express dispatched to Commodore 
Stockton for assistance. Lieutenant Gray was sent 
forward by the Commodore from San Diego, with 215 
men, and joined General Kearny on the 11th instant. 
Thus reinforced the General arrived at San Diego on 
the next day without again encountering the enemy. 

Every thing being in readiness for the movement on 
Ciudad de los Angelos, which Commodore Stockton 
had projected, at his request General Kearny asssumed 

7 



146 PASSAGE OF THE SAN GABRIEL. 

the command of the expedition ; the Commodore him- 
self accompanying the troops on their march. The 
total strength of the force was 500 men, consisting 
of 60 mounted dragoons under Captain Turner, 50 
California volunteers, and the remainder marines and 
sailors, with a strong battery of artillery. The march 
was commenced on the 29th of December, and con- 
tinued without interruption until the 8th of January, 
1847, when the enemy appeared in force on the heights 
which commanded the crossing of the San Gabriel. 
They numbered 600 mounted men, with four pieces of 
artillery, under the command of General Flores. A 
strong party of skirmishers were thrown forward in 
front of the American line, and the whole force crossed 
the river, pressing on firmly and steadily under a severe 
fire, stormed the heights, and drove the enemy from 
their position, after an action of about an hour and a 
half. The heavy artillery was pushed in the advance 
when they began to waver, and completed the rout. 
A charge upon the American left flank was once at- 
tempted, but the enemy were quickly repulsed. 

The American forces proceeded towards the capital 
on the 9th instant, and again met the enemy on the 
plains of Misa near the city. Their artillery opened, 
but did not check the advance of the Americans. The 
firQ was returned with spirit. A constant skirmishing 
was continued for two hours, at the end of which time 
the entmy made an unsuccessful effort to charge, and 
finally moved off, carrying with them their killed and 
wounded. In these two actions the Americans lost but 
one man kil\ed, and thirteen wounded. The brave 
tars from the national vessels proved as efficient, during 
the whole march of one hundred and fifty miles, as 



CAPITULATION OF THE rNSURGENT3. 147 

their companions who belonged to the army, and vied 
with them in the display of courage and endurance. 

The Americans entered the capital of the Californias 
on the 10th of January, and on the 13th the leaders of 
the revolt capitulated at Couenga to Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Fremont, who was on his way from Santa Barbara 
with 400 men and four pieces of artillery, after having 
suppressed the attempted rising in that quarter of the 
territory. The enemy surrendered their artillery, and 
with the exception of an occasional emeute, quite lim- 
ited in extent, submitted peaceably to the authority of 
the American officers.* 

A serious disagreement between Commodore Stock- 
ton and General Kearny in relation to their respective 
powers, interrupted the harmony which had character- 
ized their previous intercourse, soon after they entered 
Ciudad de los Angelos. The dispute originated in the 
indefinite character of their instructions ; the conquest 
of California having been achieved before those of a 
more positive nature had reached them. This was not 
contemplated, it would seem, by either the Navy or 
the War Department, and produced a great deal of ill- 
feeling and animosity. Both officers claimed the right 
to exercise the chief command. On the 16th of Jan- 
uary Commodore Stockton appointed Lieutenant Col- 
onel Fremont governor of the territory, who accepted 
the office, and continued to exercise its functions until 
the month of March, although General Kearny insisted 
that the power in fact belonged to himself exclusively. 
Commodore Stockton was relieved by Commodore 
W. Branford Shubrick in the month of February, and 

* On the arrival of the Mormon battalion under Major Cooke, in Ja/i- 
uary, 1847, the Californians manifested a disposition to attack them, bat 
were finally quieted. 



148 ARRIVAL OF TROOPS. 

returned over land to the United States. Commodore 
Shubrick was succeeded in a few days by Commodore 
James Biddle, who arrived on the 2nd of March, and 
assumed the chief command. More definite instruc- 
tions had now been received, and the presence of a 
larger military force enabled General Kearny to main- 
tain his rights as the commanding officer on shore. 
The naval commanders thereafter voluntarily confined 
themselves, under their orders, to the enforcement of 
the blockade, and Lieutenant Colonel Fremont was 
superseded in his authority as governor.* 

On the arrival of the New York regiment under Colo- 
nel Stevenson, it was distributed among the different 
posts, and the territory constituted into a military de- 
partment. General Kearny remained in command 
until the 31st of May, when he returned home ; being 
succeeded by Colonel Mason, of the 1st dragoons, as 
the commanding officer of the department. 

* For the particulars of this controversy, see the Proceedings of tho 
Court Martial for the trial of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, held at 
Washington in the winter of 1847-48. The finding of the Court fully 
sustained the position assumed by General Kearny, that Lieutenant 
Colonel Fremont had been guilty of mutiny and disobedience of orders. 
A majority of the Court, however, deemed the case one not requiring a 
severe punishment, especially in view of the meritorious services of the 
accused, and the sentence was remitted by the President. Believing 
that he had acted in entire good faith, the Lieutenant Colonel resigned 
his commission, which terminated bis connection with the army. 




GKN. ARISTA. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MONTEREY. 

Censure of General Arista — Arrival of Volunteers on the Rio Grande — 
Proclamation — Difficulty in procuring Transportation and Supplies — 
Advance of the Army — Encounter at Ramos — Defences of Monterey 
— Skirmish at San Jeromino — Storming of Federacion Hill and the 
Soldada — Diversion in the lower part of the Town — The Enemy's line 
of defence penetrated — Terrible slaughter among the Assailants — Cap- 
ture of the Bishop's Palace— The Americans in the City — Street-fight- 
ing — Capitu lation. 

In addition to the mortification ©f defeat, General 
Arista was fated to experience the bitterness of the 
truth, that the unsuccessful warrior rarely finds sym- 
pathy among those whom he has vainly endeavored to 
serve. Heroes are but too often the creatures of 
chance, and " a breath unmakes them, as a breath has 
made." The government of Parades had not enter- 
tained the idea that the army under General Taylor 
would dare to cope with the Vv'ell-appointed legions 
which had been sent into the field ; they were ignorant 
of the spirit that animated the American soldiers; they 
did not know, that ere the flag of their country should 
have trailed in defeat, not one would have been left 
to witness its humiliation. 

After leaving Matamoras, Arista retii'ed with the 
remnant of his army to the vicinity of Linares, and 
subsequently to the city of Monterey. Pickets were 
tlirown out on the road to Matamoras, in anticipation 



150 TUANKS TO THE ARMY. 

of a general pursuit. This was not attempted by the 
American commander, and the enemy were allowed to 
collect their scattered forces at Monterey entirely un- 
molested. Arista was severely censured by his supe- 
riors, and relieved from his command. Galling under 
the rebuke, and never being particularly friendly to the 
elevation of Paredes, he attempted to produce another 
revolution in public affairs. His reverses had alienated 
the army, in a great measure, and he was unable to 
secure their co-operation. The design, therefore, could 
not be carried into effect, and he retired to his ha- 
cienda near Monterey, refusing to obey the summons 
directing him to repair to the capital. On the 16th of 
June, 1846, Paredes was regularly chosen to the Pres- 
idency, and a change was made in the officers com- 
mandino; the forces on the northern frontier. General 
Arevalo was ordered to Monterey, and General Am- 
pudia to San Luis Potosi, to collect reinforcements, and 
be in readiness to relieve any point that might be 
menaced by the American army. Proclamations were 
at the same time issued by Paredes, exhorting the 
Mexican people to make greater exertions, and pi-omis- 
ing them certain success for the future. 

Congratulations were liberally showered, from every 
quarter of the Union, upon the army of occupation, for 
their gallant achievements on the banks of the Rio 
Grande. Tiie captured standards and colors brought 
to Washington by Lieutenant Colonel Payne, of the 
4th artillery, acting Inspector-general of the army, who 
had been disabled at Resaca de la Pal ma, were de- 
posited among the national archives. The thanks of 
Congress, and of the people in their public meetings, 
were freely tendered. General Taylor was rewarded 
with the brevet of Major General, and soon after re- 



PROCLAMATION TO THE MEXICANS. 151 

ceived a full commission of the same rank, in pursuance 
of a law authorizing the appointment of an additional 
officer of that grade. The volunteers enlisted under 
the act of Congress were sent forward to the Rio 
Grande as expeditiously as possible, and early in the 
month of June the army under General Taylor num- 
bered not far from 9,000 men.* 

In anticipation of a movement towards the interior 
of the enemy's country. General Taylor caused a proc- 
lamation prepared at the War Department, and trans- 
lated into the Spanish language, to be circulated among 
the Mexican people, in order to apprize them of the ob- 
jects for which the war was prosecuted, and the manner 
in which it would be conducted.f The first and most 

♦ The general officers appointed to the command of the volunteers 
were William O. Butler of Kentucky, and Robert Patterson of Pennsyl- 
vania, Major Generals; and Gideon J. Pillow of Tennessee, Thomas 
L. Hamer of Ohio, John A. Quitman of Mississippi, Thomas Marshall 
of Kentucky, Joseph Lane of Indiana, and James Shields of Illinois, 
Brigadier Generals. Generals Butler and Patterson were officers in the 
army during the last war with Great Britain, and the former, then a 
member of General Jackson's staff, was highly commended for his gal- 
lantry at the battle of New Orleans. Governor J. Pinckney Henderson 
of Texas, acted as Major General of the volunteers from that state. 

•f " We come to obtain reparation for repeated wrongs and injuries; 
we come to obtain indemnity for the past, and security for the future ; 
we come to overthrow the tyrants who have destroyed your hberties ; 
but we come to make no war upon the people of Mexico, nor upon any 
form of free government they may choose to select for themselves. It is 
our wish to see you liberated from despots, to drive back the savage 
Camanches, to prevent the renewal of their assaults, and to compel 
them to restore to you from captivity your Ion;;,- lost wives and children. 
Your religion, your altars, your churches, the property of your churches 
and citizens, the emblems of your faith and .ts ministers, shall be pro- 
tected, and remain inviolable. Hundreds of our army, and hundreds 
of thousands of our citizens, are members of the Catholic Church. In 
every state, and in nearly every city and village of our Union, Catholic 
churches exist, and the priests perform their holy functions in peace and 



152 DIFFERENT ROUTES INTO THE INTERIOR. 

important point to be secured, after the capture of 
Matamoras, was the city of Monterey,* situated at the 
base of the Sierra Madre, at a point wliere all the 
principal approaches from the Rio Grande concen- 
trated, and commanding the main pass through the wall 
of mountains, the only road practicable for artillery 
leading to the heart of Mexico. Two routes lay open 
for the choice of General Taylor ; the one to leave 
the river at Matamoras, and follow the track of the 
retreating Mexicans through the interior ; and the 
other to proceed up the Rio Grande as far as Mier, 
and then take the road through Seralvo and Marin. 
The first was almost entirely destitute of subsistence ; 
on the second there was but a limited supply ; and an 
army moving in either direction would be compelled 
to depend on its principal depots upon or near the Rio 
Grande. But by pushing his supplies up the river, 
General Taylor found he could establish a depot much 
nearer to Monterey than the position at Matamoras, 
besides being more convenient to the route by way of 

Kecurity under the sacred guaranty of our Constitution. We come 
omong the people of Jlexico as friends and republican brethren, and 
all who receive us as such, shall be protected, whilst all who are se- 
duced into the army of your dictntors shall l)e treated as enemies. We 
shall want from you nothing but food for our army, and for this you 
shall always be paid in cash the full value. It is the settled policy of 
your tyrants to deceive you in regard to the character and policy of our 
government and people. Those tyrants fear the example of our free in- 
stitutions, and constantly endeavor to misrepresent our purposes, and 
inspire you with hatred for your republican brethren of the American 
Union. Give us but the opportunity to undeceive you, and you will 
soon learn that all the representations of Parcdes were false, and were 
only made to induce you to consent to the establislimcnt of a despotic 
government." — Extract from the Proclamation addressed to tlic Mexi- 
can nation. — House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, (p. 15^ 2nd session, 29th 
Congress. 
* The Kins of the Mountain. 



TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPLIES. 153 

Sgralvo and Marin. He therefore decidsd to pursue 
that route, as it would require less transportation by 
land, and to establish his main depot at Camargo.* 

The Rio Grande has been very properly termed, 
"the muddiest, crookedest, and swiftest river in North 
America." The channel is constantly shifting, and the 
navigation obstructed by so many sand-bars, that it is 
difficult for the smallest steamboats to proceed further 
up than Reinosa, except in high water. Notwithstand- 
ing the efforts made by the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment to forward supplies for the army, and procure 
suitable boats to navigate the river, most of which had 
to be obtained in the United States, and at remote dis- 
tances from the seaboard, it was not until the month 
of August that General Taylor was able to move for- 
ward with his troops. The causes of this delay were 
various, and, in most cases, could not well have been 
avoided. In some instances requisitions were not 
made in due season ; in others the contractors failed to 
fulfil their obligations; and in others still, the officers 
of the bureau may have been at fault, although the of- 
ficial correspondence of General Jesup, the Quarter- 
master-general, and his subordinates, shows that they 
labored most assiduously in the performance of their 
duties.f 

♦ Camargo is situated at the mouth of the San Juan, on its southern 
ehore. and on the right bank of the Rio Grande. It is 48 miles above 
Rcinosa, and 93 from Matamoras. 

•j- In September, 184o, General Jesup asked, and obtained leave to 
join the ar.ny on the Rio Grande, and remained there and at New Or- 
leans for several months, constantly employed in the duties of his office. 
After this time, there was less coaiplaint in regard to the want of trans- 
portation and supplies. — See Correspondent-e of Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 1 19, (pp. 2jO, et. seq.) 2nd session, 29th 
Congress. 

7* 



154 SICKNESS AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS. 

Had General Taylor been in a situation to advance 
with a large army, immediately after the capture of 
Matamoras, there can be no doubt that Monterey might 
have been taken without the least difficulty, and, per- 
haps, without striking a single blow. At first blush" 
this would seem to have been a most desirable result; 
but a moment's reflection will suggest an important 
consideration decidedly opposed to such a conclusion. 
The history of the war, as conducted in the provinces 
of California and New Mexico, presents one truth in 
bold and strong relief, — which is, that something more 
than the occupation of an enemy's territory by an 
armed force apparently sufficient to overawe the in- 
habitants, is necessary to constitute an effectual con- 
quest. General Taylor might have overrun the whole 
country between the Rio Grande and the Sierra Ma- 
dre, and yet there have been no safety for his army, if 
separated into detachments, until the enemy had con- 
centrated their forces, and there had been a fair trial of 
strength in the field. To conquer a people at home, 
on their own soil, their moral energies must be pros- 
trated, and that can only be done by a defeat. The 
loss before Monterey was severe, but was it not better 
thus, than that the valley of the San Juan should have 
been deluged with the blood of American soldiers lulled 
into a false security, and unprepared for the sudden 
onslaught of Mexican guerilleros aad rancheros ? 

After the arrival of the volunteers, and while waiting 
for boats to navigate the river. General Taylor wisely 
directed that the troops should be thoroughly drilled 
and disciplined. The sickly season came on before he 
proceeded up the Rio Grande, and large numbers of 
the volunteer corps were swept away by the noxious 
vapors of the tierra caliente, aggravated, no doubt, in 



ADVANCE FROM TUE KIO GRANDE. 155 

their influence, by the irregular habits formed in the 
camp by those who were unaccustomed to this new 
mode of life. Notwithstanding the intei'ference of 
General Taylor, and the adoption of more stringent 
regulations, the causes of this mortahty were never 
wholly removed, though they were ultimately checked 
to a great extent. 

The army commenced moving towards Monterey 
early in August. General Taylor arrived at Camargo 
on the 8th instant, and on the 17th, General Worth* 
marched for Seralvo, with the first brigade of his di- 
vision, followed by the second brigade on the 25th. 
The spy companies had previously been thrown for- 
ward, but had not found the enemy posted in force on 
either side of the San Juan. On the 11th of August, 
a party of sixty Mexicans, armed, with carbines, and 
well supplied with ammunition, were captured and 
brought into Camargo. Captain McCulloch, with his 
company of fifty men, discovered a body of irregular 
cavalry, over one hundred strong, at China, and made 
his dispositions to attack them, but they prudently 
avoided an engagement. 

On the 4th of September, General Taylor received 
a dispatch from General Worth, informing him that 
Ampudia had arrived at Monterey with reinforce- 
ments ; that the Mexican cavalry were supposed to be 
at Caiderita ; and that General Canales was at Marin 
with 600 men, and had his advance at Papayallos on 
the road to Seralvo. On the following day, the re- 
maining divisions of the army commenced the march ; 

* General Worth was in Washington when the intelligence was re- 
ceived that hostilities had commenced on llie Rio Grande, and had al- 
ready handed in his resignation. He promptly withdrew it and returned 
to the seat of war, resuming the command of his division on the 28th 
of May. 



156 STECNGTU OF THE ARMY. 

the Texas cavalry, under General Henderson, being 
sent round by China and Caiderita, with orders to join 
the main army at Marin ; and General Taylor, with 
the rest of his forces, crossing the San Juan at Camargo, 
and moving forward by the other road to Seralvo. 

The entire strength of the army destined for the re- 
duction of Monterey, was about 6,600, nearly one-half 
of whom were regulars, whose coolness and constancy 
in battle vvere not to be questioned. But few of the 
volunteers had ever been in an engagement ; but they 
were all brave and ambitious, well disciplined, and de- 
termined to accomplish something that would reflect 
honor on the country to which they belonged, and to 
follow, in all things, the bidding of the leader under 
whose banner they marched, to fight and to conquer. 
General Patterson was left in command on the Rio 
Grande, with near 3,000- men. A portion of these 
troops might have been added to the main column un- 
der General Taylor, but he was convinced that it would 
be impracticable to sustain a larger body of men, in 
consequence of the deficiency in transportation. He 
was forced to depend upon tlie resources of the coun- 
try, and it was with great difficulty that he procured a 
sufficient number of pack mules to carry the necessary 
supplies for his men on the march.* 

* The main army was organized by General Taylor into three divis- 
ions : — the first, under General Twiggs, consisting of four companies of 
the 2nd dragoons. Lieutenant Colonel May, and Captain RiJgeiy's bat- 
tery ; Captain Biogg's battery, 3rd infantry, Major Lear, and 4th in- 
fantry, Major Allen, foriiiing the third brigade of regulars, and com- 
manded by Lieutenant Colonel Garland; and the 1st infantry, Major 
Abercromble, and the Baltimore and Washington battalion, Lieutenant 
Colonel Watson, forming the fourth brigaile, commanded by Lieutenant 
Colonel Wilson; the second division, under General Worth, consisting 
oi" Lieutenant Colonel Dunc:^n's battery, the artillery battalion, Lieu- 



SKIRMISH AT RAMOS. 157 

The army hnlted for a few days at Seralvo, where a 
depot was established. The first division resumed the 
march on the 13th of September, and was followed, on 
successive days, by the other divisions ; the troops be- 
ing provided with eight days' rations, and forty rounds 
of ammunition. The advance, consisting of McCuI- 
loch's rangers, Captain Graham's dragoons, and a small 
body of pioneers and engineers, marched early on the 
12th. The roads were generally hard and level, but 
occasionally crossed by a deep gully, which required 
some preparation to fit it for the passage of artillery. 
From Papayallos the advance were always in sight of 
the Mexican pickets, who retired slowly before them. 
On the 14th, the rangers encountered a body of two 
hundred cavalry at Ramos. Dashing furiously upon the 
enemy, they routed them in an instant, and drove them 
rapidly through the town. They entered Marin, near 
the San Juan, on the next day, and there found General 
Torrejon, with 1,000 cavalry, who were drawn up in 
the principal street, their bright and new escopetas and 

tenant Colonel Childs, and 8th infantry, Captain Scrivner, forming the 
first brigade, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Staniford ; and Lieu- 
tenant Mackall's battery, 5tli infantry, Major M. Scott, 7th infantry, Cap- 
tain Miles, and Captain Blanchard's company of Louisiana volunteers, 
forming the second brigade, commanded by Colonel P. F. Smith, of the 
mounted riHemen ; and the third, or volunteer division, under General 
Butler, consisting of the 1st Kentucky regiment, Colonel Ormsby, and 
1st Ohio regiment. Colonel Mitchell, forming the first brigade, com- 
manded by General Hamer; and the 1st Tennessee regiment, Colonel 
Campbell, and Mississippi regiment, Colonel Davis, forming the second 
brigade, commanded by General Quitman. The Texas division, con- 
sisting of the 1st and 2nd regiments of mounted volunteers, under Colo- 
nels Hays and Wood, was commanded by General Henderson, and de- 
tached, as occasion required, to co-operate with the other divisions. The 
artillery consisted of one ten-inch mortar, two twenty-four pounder 
howitzers, in charge of Captain Webster, with a company of artillery 
detached, and four light field batteries of four guns each. 



THE TEXAN EANGERS. 

lances glowing with sunbeams, and their gay scarlet 
uniforms presenting a most brilliant appearance. The 
Mexicans were soon in great commotion, and fancying 
that General Taylor's army was about pouncing down 
upon them from the neighboring hills, retreated in haste 
towards Monterey, without firing a single gun. 

It was not unusual, on the march from the Rio 
Grande, to behold the most decided evidences of terror 
and apprehension among the Mexican inhabitants, and 
more particulai'ly whenever they caught sight of the 
Texan rangers, with their wide-brimmed sombreros 
shading the swarthy countenances whose ferocity was 
enhanced by their long beards and mustachios, — each 
man's belt garnished with revolvers, the deadly rifle 
slung over his shoulder, and, still fresh in his heart, the 
recollections of Salado and the Alamo.* The husband- 
man would shrink behind the covert of muskeet bushes 
lining the roadside, while his wife and daughters, with 
their dark eyes half-veiled beneath the drooping lashes, 
and swimming with tears, and their clear olive com- 
plexions blanched in affright, would press their tremb- 
ling lips to the glittering crosses suspended from their 
necks, and hurriedly murmur forth a fervent prayer to 

* Besides performing other important services, the Texan volunteers, 
or rangers, were found by General Taylor to be of great assistance as 
scouts and vedettes. They were skilful horsemen, and had learned 
many of the arts of the Indian warriors. It was said of the regiment of 
Colonel Hays, that there were few of its members who could not pick a 
ailvcr dollar from the ground, when at full speed, or shelter themselves 
from the fire of an enemy, without dismounting, by wheeling their 
horses to either flank, and throwing their bodies beliind them. They 
were armed with short rifles, revolving pistols, and sabres ; and in mak- 
ing a charge, were instructed to fire first with the rifle, then to discharge 
their pistols while advancing on a gallop, and to complete the work with 
the sabre. A body of men, thus equipped and drilled, would be formi- 
dable enough on an open plain. 



APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. 159 

" our Lady of Gaudalupc," to protect and shield them 
from the invader. But when the army under General 
Taylor came upon the track of the Mexican cavalry, 
they found that the poor and inoffensive inhabitants had 
been stripped of their property, or compelled to wit- 
ness its destruction, in order, as they were assured, that 
no supplies might be left on the route for the enemy ; 
and los biienos Americanos were repeatedly entreated 
to save them from the cruelty of Torrejon and the 
rancheros. 

The different corps of the American army were 
concentrated at Marin, 107 miles from Camargo, and 
within 24 miles of Monterey, on the 17th of Septem- 
ber. Early in the morning of the 18th, they were 
again in motion. In case the enemy were met in force 
on the march, the line of battle was ordered to be 
formed, with the first division on the right, the second 
division on the left, and the volunteer division in the 
centre. After leaving Marin, the country appeared 
much more fertile than between that town and the Rio 
Grande. The valleys, irrigated by the mountain 
streams, abounded in the most luxuriant vegetation ; 
there were large fields of corn and sugar cane, tempt- 
ing patches of melons, gay parterres of tropical flow- 
ers, groves of figs and olives, with an occasional thicket 
of chaparral, whose dark foliage added a great deal 
to the beauty of the landscape ; and the soft breeze 
that sighed among the jagged cliffs of the Sierra Madre, 
or rippled the waters of the San Juan, was laden with 
the fragrance of the wild rose and the jasmine, the 
orange and the pomegranate. 

Numerous copies of proclamations issued by General 
Ampudia, repeating the inducements to desert offered 
to the American soldiers opposite Matamoras, were 



160 CAMP AT WALNUT SPRINGS. 

found scattered along the road to Monterey. This was, 
indeed, a most singuhir mode of warfare, but it appears 
to have been the one brilliant idea conceiv^ed by the 
Mexican generals, in their own estimation, if we may 
judge by the pertinacity with which they adhered to 
it during the continuance of the war. 

The American army lay at San Francisco during 
the night of the 18th, and arrived before Monterey on 
the I'Jth. The Mexicans had destroyed a bridge on 
the road, but its place was soon supplied with corn- 
stalks from a neighboring field, and the troops crossed 
over with their baggage and artillery without difficulty. 
General Taylor selected a position for his encampment, 
at Walnut Springs, in a grove of walnut trees, about 
three miles from the city, and then rode forward with 
the general and staff officers to reconnoitre. They 
were accompanied by a detachment of dragoons and 
Texan rangers, and on approaching within a few hun- 
dred yards, were fired upon by the enemy's batteries. 
A number of shot were thrown, but without doing any 
injury. A body of Mexican cavalry also made their 
appearance on the plain, but after firing a volley from 
their escopetas they retired into the town. The 
American soldiers manifested considerable impatience, 
because they could not advance against the enemy at 
once. The information which General Taylor had 
been able to obtain in regard to the defences of the city, 
and the strength of the garrison, was quite limited, and 
the confidential messengers whom he employed, appear 
either to have deceived him, or to have been them- 
selves deceived.* He was not strong enough to invest 
the city, and was not provided with a siege train, hav- 

♦ See Correspondence, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 1 19, (pp. 130, 139 
Znd session, 29th Congress. 




o -^ 






THE CITY OF MONTEREY. 161 

mg only the ten-inch mortar that could be of any 
especial service. He was aware, therefore, that the 
place must be carried by assault, but determined not to 
advance hastily, or without proper precautions. The 
engineer officers were directed to make the necessary 
examinations, and in order that the army might be pre- 
pared for any sudden attack, the men were directed to 
sleep on their arms. 

The city of Monterey was originally founded more 
than two centuries ago. It is the capital of the State 
of New Leon, and is situated on the left bank of the 
Arroyo* San Juan, a small branch of the main river 
of the same name, which winds down the pass leading 
to Saltillo, and after encircling the town on the south, 
and partially on the east, continues its way to the 
stream of which it is a tributary. Upon the north, the 
plain rises gradually from the river, its well-tilled 
fields, and beautiful gardens and groves, exhibiting in- 
dications of a high state of cultivation. South and 
west are the mountain ridges of the Sierra Madre, with 
the gorge opening on the south-west. It is approached 
on the north-east from Caiderita and Marin, and on 
the north-west from Monclova and Presquina Grande. 
The main road to Saltillo leaves the city at its south- 
western extremity, and passes along the left bank of the 
Arroyo San Juan, with a branch crossing the stream, 
and penetrating the mountains through a smaller defile 
a short distance east of the principal pass. There are 
three large squares or plazas : the Plaza de la Capella,t 
in the western part of the town, the Plazuela de Carne, 

♦ This term is of frequent occurrence in the geography of Mexico. 
It is the Mexican word used to designate a small stream from a larger 
one of the same name. 

•f This is the cemetery referred to in some of the dispatches. 



162 IT3 FORTIFICATIONS. 

nearer the centre, and the great Plaza upon which 
stands the Cathedral, in the south-east corner. The 
houses are built of stone, in the old Spanish style, with 
flat roofs, and battlements, or parapets, between two 
and three feet high ; and, with the exception of the 
pubhc edifices around the main plaza, they are gener- 
ally but one story in height. To almost every house 
there is attached a small garden inclosed by stone walls. 
The streets are laid out with great regularity, running 
parallel to each other, with the intersecting streets cross- 
ing at right angles. 

The natural position of the city rendered it easy of 
defence, and every advantage had been improved to 
the utmost. On the north side of the town, between 
the road to Monclova and that to Marin, there was a 
large rectangular fortress, known as the citadel, cover- 
ing nearly three acres of ground, with four bastion 
fronts, surrounded by a work of solid masonry, and 
supplied with heavy guns. At the north-eastern angle, 
in the suburbs, there was a strong redoubt of masonry 
of four faces, with an open gorge of ten feet, prepared 
for four guns, overlooked and commanded by a large 
stone house in the rear, also fortified. South of this was 
a second redoubt of four faces, with three guns, and de- 
fended by an open gorge of twenty feet, commanded 
by another redoubt with three guns, overlooking the 
Caiderita road crossing the Arroyo San Juan by the 
bridge Purissima, which was also defended by a tete du 
pont of masonry. And still further south, there were 
two other redoubts, only one of which, with three guns, 
was occupied, having in its rear a stone house prepared 
for infantry, with loop-holes and sand-bags. All these 
redoubts were connected by fleches of masonry, or 
breastworks of earth and brush. Along the southern 



THE GAEKISON. 163 

edge of the city, overlooking the river, ran a stone 
wall four feet thick, with embrasures for guns, and 
banquettes for infantry. Upon the west was an iso- 
lated hill, called Loma de Independencia, towering up 
to a height of seven hundred feet, and sloping towards 
the town on the east, but presenting a steep and almost 
perpendicular acclivity on the west. On the summit 
of this hill was a gun-battery, with a breastwork of 
sand-bags, and about midway of the slope a strongly 
fortified structure, called the Bishop's palace, with out- 
works of masonry, containing two or three guns mount- 
ed in barbette. About six hundred yards south of the 
hill of Independence, and on the opposite side of the 
Arroyo San Juan, between the two gorges of the Sal- 
tillo road, was Federacion hill, with strong batteries on 
its crest, and the Soldada fort on the same height, but 
retired about six hundred yards from the batteries. 
This hill not only commanded the hill of Independence, 
but guarded all the approaches to the town in that 
quarter. The city itself was one continued fortifica- 
tion. The plazas and streets were barricaded and de- 
fended by artillery. Breastworks were thrown up in 
every direction. The walls of the cemetery on the west 
side of the town, the sides of the houses, the parapets 
on the house-tops, and even the garden walls, were 
pierced with creneles and loop-holes for musketry ; and 
wherever the firm mason-work was deemed insufficient,' 
sand-bags were provided for the protection of those 
behind them. The cathedral in the main plaza was 
the principal magazine for the ammunition. Months 
had been spent in completing these defences ; forty- 
two pieces of artillery w^ere planted in different quar- 
ters of the town ; and General Ampudia had with him 
about 7,000 regular troops, and two or three thousand 



1C4 GENERAL. WORTH DETACHED. 

volunteers and citizens, — yet strongly fortified as was 
his position, by nature and art, it was doomed to fall 
before the resistless energy of the American soldiers. 

Reconnaissances of the city and its defences were 
made, on the eastern side, by Captain Williams of the 
topographical engineers, and on the west by Major 
Mansfield, of the corps of engineers. The latter re- 
ported that the enemy's position could be turned by 
throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and 
carrying the detached works in its vicinity. General 
Worth was selected, with his division and Colonel 
Hays' Texan regiment, to execute the important enter- 
prise. He commenced his march from General Tay- 
lor's camp, at two o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th ; 
his men being supplied with two days' rations, but tak- 
ing; no tents. Makino; a wide circuit to the ri^ht he 
reached the Presquina Grande road at six o'clock, hav- 
ing traversed only six miles, on account of the delay in 
making the route practicable for artillery. Halting his 
division out of range of the battery on the hill of Inde- 
pendence, a reconnaissance was made to the intersec- 
tion of the Presquina Grande road with the Saltillo 
road, and the troops bivouacked at their position during 
the night. The movement had not escaped the notice 
of the enemy, and reinforcements were thrown towards 
the Bishop's palace and the height above it. In order . 
to divert their attention, General Taylor directed the 
divisions under Generals Butler and Twiggs to be dis- 
played in front of the town until dark. In the night 
the mortar and twenty-four-pounder howitzers were 
placed in battery, with a view of opening a fire upon 
the citadel on the succeeding day. 

Early in the morning of the 21st, General Worth put 
his division again in motion, having written a note to 



SKIRMISH AT SAN JEROMINO. 165 

General Taylor, suggesting a diversion in his favor, on 
the north and east of the town. The road wound in 
and out around the ridges projecting from the moun- 
tains on the west, and sometimes brought the column 
within range of the batteries on the hill of Indepen- 
dence. On turning one of these angles, at the haci- 
enda of San Jeromino, a strong force of Mexican, 
cavalry and infantry came suddenly upon the advance, 
which consisted of Hays' Texans, supported by the 
light companies of the first brigade under Captain C. 
F. Smith, and Duncan's battery. The rangers met 
the charge with a deadly fire from their unerring rifles, 
and the light companies also opened upon the attacking 
party. Duncan's battery was in action in a moment, 
together with a section of Lieutenant Mackall's bat- 
tery. The conflict lasted about fifteen minutes, when, 
as the whole first brigade had now formed to the front, 
the enemy retired in disorder along the Saltillo road, 
closely followed by the Americans, who took possession 
of the gorge, and thus prevented their return to the 
city, and excluded all reinforcements and supplies from 
entering in that direction. The enemy left one hun- 
dred of their men, either killed or wounded, on the 
ground, and among them a colonel of lancers. 

General Worth halted his division at the opening of 
the gorge, but on discovering that his men were still 
within reach of the enemy's fire, he advanced about 
half a mile further on the Saltillo road. At twelve 
o'clock, Captain C. F. Smith w^as detached with four 
companies of the artillery battalion, and six companies 
of Texan rangers, on foot, under Major Chevalier, 
about three hundred men in all, to storm the batteries on 
Federacion hill.* The movement could not be masked, 

* " General Worth rode up as the command moved off, and pointing 



166 STORMING OF FEDERACION HJLLL. 

and the party was almost regarded as a forlorn hope, 
when the enemy's guns opened a plunging fire upon 
them, and their light troops were seen descending the 
slopes, and preparing for the onset. Captain Miles 
was instantly ordered, with the 7th infantry, to support 
the assaulting party. Instead of taking the more cir- 
cuitous route pursued by the former detachment, the 
regiment moved directly to the foot of the height, press- 
ing forward with alacrity, though the waters of the 
river, as they forded it, hissed and foamed with the 
shot which fell thick and fast around them. Without 
wavering or faltering in the least, both detachments 
advanced up the hill, clinging to the pointed rocks and 
bushes of thorn for support, as the loose stones and 
earth crumbled away beneath their feet, with the balls 
whistling over their heads, and fragments of rock and 
gravel falling constantly upon them. They halted only 
to deliver their fire, and the enemy were driven stead- 
ily before them. Heavy reinforcements now appeared 
on the height, and again there was danger. Colonel 
P. F. Smithf hastened with the 5th infantry under 
Major Scott, the Louisiana volunteers, and fifty of the 
rangers under Colonel Hays, to the assistance of his 
comrades. On arriving at the foot of the ascent, he 
saw that he could take advantage of the ground, and, 
by moving a part of his force obliquely up the hill to 
the right, carry both batteries at once. The move- 
to the height, said, ' Men, you are to take that hill, and I know you will 
do it.' With one response they replied, ' We will.' " — Reid's Scouting 
Expeditions of the Texas Rangers. 

* Colonel Smith held the rank of Brigadier General of the Louisiana 
Volunteers first mustered into service, but who were discharged before 
the army marched to Monterey. He was appointed colonel of the regi- 
ment of mounted riflemen of the regular army, in May, 1816, and after- 
wards brcvetted a brigadier general. 



DIVERSION IN THE LOWER TOWN. 167 

ment was ordered. Up they all went, animating each 
other by the loud cheers that rang down the hill side, 
and echoed among the gorges. Captain Smith drove 
the enemy from the breastwork, like chaff before a 
whirlwind, and then came a contest between the vic- 
tors, as to who should first reach the Soldada. The 
assault terminated in a race. Each man strained every 
nerve. The 5th was foremost, though hard pressed by 
the other detachments, and entered the fort at one end, 
as the Mexicans retired at the other. The works of the 
enemy on the southern bank of the river were carried, 
and their guns turned upon Independence hill and the 
Bishop's palace. 

Previous to the reception of General Worth's note, 
General Taylor had determined to make a diversion 
against the lower part of the town. The first division 
of regulars, and the division of volunteers, moved 
towards the city in the morning, having left one com- 
pany of each regiment as a camp guard. The dra- 
goons under Lieutenant Colonel May, and Colonel 
Wood's regiment of Texan mounted volunteers, under 
the immediate command of General Henderson, were 
directed to the right to support General Worth. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Garland advanced with Bragg's battery, 
the 1st and 3rd infantry, and the Baltimore and Wash- 
ington battalion, piloted by Major Mansfield, against 
the defences at the north-eastern angle of the city, 
while the mortar served by Captain Ramsay, and the 
howitzer battery under Captain Webster, opened their 
fire. General Butler remained with his division in rear 
of the batlery. The remaining regiment of General 
Twiggs' division, the 4th infantry, was also held in re- 
serve ; the general himself, though suffering severely 



168 TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. 

from sickness, being present, and directing the move- 
ments of his command. 

The column under Lieutenant Colonel Garland was 
soon exposed to the converging fire of the citadel and 
the redoubts, and annoyed by the galling discharges of 
musketry from the adjacent* houses and stone walls. 
Moving rapidly to the light of the fort at the north- 
eastern angle, an attempt was made to carry it by 
gaining a position in the rear. Shower upon shower 
of balls fell upon and around them ; yet they pressed 
nobly on. Again and again that '• iron sleet " poured 
down, 

" In (ieadlj drifts of fiery spray." 

The stoutest hearted of them all began to quail. The 
best and bravest, of both officers and men, had fallen, 
and the whole column seemed devoted to immediate 
destruction. Still those men were ready for the ad- 
vance ; their bosoms throbbed with anxiety, but they 
sheltered no coward hearts. It was madness, however, 
for the officers further to expose their commands, while 
the enemy were protected by their breastworks and 
barricades ; and most of them were temporarily with- 
drawn to places of comparative security. The battery 
under Captain Bragg was terribly cut up, and com- 
pelled to retire out of range. Captain Backus, of the 
1st infantry, with portions of the different companies, 
gained the roof of a tannery looking directly into the 
gorge of the fort ; and had just commenced pouring his 
destructive volleys into the work, when General Quit- 
man arrived upon the ground with his brigade of vol- 
unteers, and three companies of the 4Lh infantry under 
Major Allen. They, too, encounteied a most with- 
ering fire. The Tennessee regiment sustained a severe 



CAPTURE OF THE FIRST FORT. 169 

loss, and the companies of the regular infantry, in the 
advance, were deprived of one third of their officers 
and men, v\'ho were struck down in an instant. For a 
moment they staggered and fell back ; but the officers, 
both of the regulars and volunteers, as if animated by 
one sentiment, sprang into the front line, and encour- 
aged the men by their words and their example. Be- 
ing joined by the remaining companies of the 4th in- 
fantry, they again moved forward, no longer to be 
repulsed. The breastworks were surmounted, and the 
battery won. 

Meanwhile General Butler had entered the edge of 
the town with the 1st Ohio regiment, the remaining 
regiment of General Hamer's brigade, the 1st Ken- 
tucky, being left to support the mortar and howitzer 
battery. Discovering that nothing could be gained in 
his front, and being advised by Major Mansfield to 
withdraw his command, he was about retiring, when he 
learned that the first fort had been taken. The direc- 
tion of his column was promptly changed, and he ad- 
vanced under a severe fire to within one hundred 
yards of the second fort, called El Diablo. He here 
found that the intervening space was completely swept 
by the fire of three distinct batteries, but being anxious 
to capture the work, if within his power, he was pre- 
paring to storm it, when he received a severe w^ound 
which compelled him to halt. He afterwards surren- 
dered the command to General Hamer, who moved the 
regin:ient to a new position, and within sustaining dis- 
tance of the batteries under Captains Ridgely and 
Webster, which had already occupied the first fort, and 
were vigorously playing upon the second. General 
Taylor now came up, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel 
Garland, with such men as could be collected of the 

8 



170 DEMONSTRATIONS OF CAVALRY. 

1st, 3rd, and 4th infantry, and Baltimore and Wash* 
ington battalion, with a section of Ridgely's battery, to 
enter the town, penetrate to the right, and carry the 
second battery, if possible. The command advanced 
beyond the bridge, Purissima, exposed to an incessant 
fire from the forts and the. citadel, where they sustained 
themselves for some time, but finding it impracticable 
to gain the rear of the battery, they withdrew to the 
captured fort. 

While these efforts were being made to carry the ad- 
vanced works, several demonstrations were made by 
the enemy's cavalry ; one of which, on the opposite 
side of the river, was dispersed by Captain Ridgely's 
battery ; another was repulsed, with considerable loss, 
by the Ohio regiment and a part of the Mississippi regi- 
ment ; and a third, by Captain Bragg's battery, sup- 
ported by Captain Miller of the 1st infantry, with a 
mixed command. On the approach of evening, the 
troops were ordered back to camp, with the excep- 
tion of Captain Ridgely's company, and the regular 
infantry of the 1st division, reinforced by one battalion 
of the Kentucky regiment, who remained on guard 
during the night in the captured fort. Intrenching 
tools were procured, and the works materially strength- 
ened before morning. 

For six long hours had this contest continued in the 
lower part of the town. The streets were slippery with 
the blood of the assailants. They had lost three hun- 
dred and ninety-four men, in killed and wounded, dur- 
ing the operations of the day, among whom were some 
of the ablest and most accomplished office-rs in the ser- 
vice. The line of the enemy's defences had been 
penetrated, and a foothold gained, but at a great sacri- 
fice. It was truly a scene of havoc and slaughter. In 



AN INCIDENT OF THE BATTLE. I7l 

the midsl of the horrors of that terrible conflict, a Mex- 
ican woman was seen going abrut among the dead, 
regardless of her own danger, an.^ making no distinc- 
tion between friend and foe, as she proceeded on her 
errand of love, binding up the broken limbs, moisten- 
ing the parched lips of the dying, and ministering to 
the comforts of the wounded. While thus engaged, 
while thus displaying the gentle virtues, the tenderness, 
and the unwavering fortitude of her sex, she was struck 
by a chance ball, and fell to the earth among the armed 
men who lay in heaps around her. The American 
soldiers knew how to appreciate such nobleness of 
heart, — the magnanimity of such a sacrifice. They 
nursed her tenderly until she died, and on the follow- 
ing day they buried her, amid the constant fire from 
the Mexican batteries. It was all they could do to 
testify their sympathy, but it will be long ere they for- 
get the kind and tender-hearted being, 

" who found a martyr's grave, 
On that red field of Monterey." 

The capture of Federacion hill and the Soldada, only 
rendered it more necessary that the possession of the 
hill of Independence and the Bishop's palace should 
also be secured. The party who stormed the former, 
had been nearly thirty-six hours without food, and to 
add to their hardships, a violent storm came up towards 
evening on the 21st. Without any covering to protect 
them from the pelting rain, they lay down with their 
arms upon the ground, to snatch a few hours sleep. 
At three o'clock in the morning of the 22nd, they were 
aroused to storm the hill Independencia. The execu- 
tion of this enterprise was intrusted to Lieutenant 



172 INDEPENDENCE HILL. 

Colonel Childs, with three companies of his artillery 
battalion, three companies of the 8th infantry under 
Captain Scriven, and two hundred Texan riflemen, 
under Colonel Hays and Lieutenant Colonel Walker.* 
There were faint gleams of morning light dancing on 
the summits of the hills, but the sky was curtained by 
a thick veil of clouds, and the valley still in deep shade. 
Proceeding cautiously along, the party picked their way 
up the steep hill, among the rocks and thorny bushes of 
chaparral, and at daybreak were within one hundred 
yards of the breastwork on the summit. Here they 
encountered a body of Mexicans who had been sta- 
tioned in a cleft of rocks on the night previous, in an- 
ticipation of an attack. Three men of the artillery 
battalion, having advanced with too much haste, came 
unexpectedly upon the enemy. They instantly yielded, 
but were shot down with the very pieces which they had 
surrendered. It did not require this act of cruelty and 
outrage to kindle the zeal and fire the ambition of their 
comrades. With a loud fierce shout for vengeance they 
sprang up the height. A deadly volley from their guns, 
and a charge with the bayonet, placed them in possession 
of the work ; the enemy delivering an ineffectual fire as 
they retreated. The next object of attack was the Bish- 
op's palace, about four hundred yards distant. The Mex- 
icans had withdrawn their guns from the battery, and 
the detachment were obliged to wait for their own 
cannon. Lieutenant Rowland, of Duncan's battery, 
was ordered from the main rank with a twelve-pounder 
howitzer, and in two hours his men had dragged and 

* The rank of this officer in the Texan Volunteers was that of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel; but he is better known as '• Captain Walker." He 
received a captain's commissio'n in General Smith's regiment of mounted 
nfiemen. • 



CAPTURE OF THE BISIIOP's PALACE. 173 

lifted their piece up the hill, by -main strength, and 
were showering their missiles upon the enemy. 

The detachment on the height was also reinforced 
by the 5th infantry and the Louisiana volunteers. The 
enemy saw the advantage which had been gained, and 
manifested a determination to recover the heights. 
Several feints were made, and then a heavy sortie 
supported by a strong body of cavalry. The Ameri- 
cans were prepared for the movement. Captain Vin- 
ton advanced under cover of the rocks, with two 
companies of light troops, to draw the enemy forward, 
followed by the main column under Lieutenant Colonel 
Childs, with the Texans on either flank. The Mexi- 
cans advanced boldly, but were scattered in confusion 
by one general discharge from all arms. Before they 
could regain their works, the American soldiers rushed 
down upon them, shouting as they ran. Entering the 
palace by a door which had been barricaded, but open- 
ed by the fire of the howitzer, they completed the vic- 
tory. Lieutenant Ayres was the first to reach the hal- 
yards and haul down the flag, which was soon replaced 
by the American standard, waving proudly in the 
breeze. The captured guns, together with Duncan's 
and Mackall's batteries, which came up at a full gallop, 
were effectively served upon the Mexican soldiers, who 
fled towards the city, pouring in confused masses down 
the street leading to the Plaza de la Capella, the pro- 
longation of which was now held by the Americans. 
With the loss of but seventy men in killed and wound- 
ed, General Worth had accomplished the purpose for 
which his division was detached. The enterprise was 
executed promptly and skilfully, and with entire suc- 
cess. His whole force was soon after concentrated in 



174 THE AMERICANS IN THE CITY. 

the vicinity of the palace, in readiness to co-operate 
with General Taylor in an assault upon the town. 

The main body of the army spent the 22nd in bury- 
ing their dead, and caring for the wounded ; although 
the enemy did not remit their fire from the citadel and 
the works on the east side of the town. Many an 
anxious eye was turned from General Taylor's camp 
towards the scene of General Worth's operations, and 
when the American flag was unfurled on the Bishop's 
palace, the welkin rang with glad hurrahs. General 
Quitman's brigade relieved Lieutenant Colonel Gar- 
land's command, with the exception of Ridgely's bat- 
tery, in the occupation of the captured fort, and an 
assault on the remaining works was now contemplated 
to be made on the following day : but at early dawn on 
the 23rd, it was discovered that the enemy had aban- 
doned their defences in the lower part of the town, and 
were concentrating their forces near the main plaza, 
for a last desperate struggle. The brigade of General 
Quitman, the 2nd regiment of Texan volunteers under 
General Henderson, who had returned from General 
Worth's position, and Captain Bragg's battery, sup- 
ported by the 3rd infantry, immediately entered the 
city. Detachments of the troops proceeded gradually, 
breaking through the stone walls, springing from one 
house to another, mounting to the flat roofs, and driv- 
ing the enemy before them, until they had advanced 
within two squares of the main plaza. About noon a 
communication was received from the governor of the 
State of New Leon, requesting permission for the in- 
habitants who were non-combatants, to leave the city. 
This application was made too late, and General Taylor 
refused to grant the request. At three in the afternoon 
he directed the troops on the east side of the town to 



BREAKING THROUGH THE WALLS. 175 

iCtire from their advanced position. They had been 
constantly engaged for eight hours, and needed both 
rest and food to enable them to continue the attack. 

Meanwhile General Worth had not been idle. In 
the morning of the 23rd, he sent a detachment to take 
possession of the gorge near Santa Catarina, and had 
designed to move forvv^ard into the city under favor of 
the ensuing night ; but on hearing the heavy firing 
upon the opposite side of the town, he organized two 
columns of attack, who were ordered to press on to the 
first plaza, keeping under cover as much as possible, to 
get hold of the ends of the streets beyond it, and then, 
entering the houses, to break through the longitudinal 
sections of the walls with picks and bars, and work 
their way from house to house. The light artillery fol- 
lowed the columns in sections and pieces to support the 
movement. 

All day long the work proceeded. Step by step, 
slowly, but surely, the Americans won their way into 
the city. The solid masonry yielded before their pon- 
derous blows. The inhabitants were stricken as with 
a panic. For years Monterey had defied the arms of 
Spain ; but here were soldiers who mocked at every 
obstacle, and overcame every difliculty. Begrimed 
with dust and smoke, imagination pictured them as 
beings from another world. As they sprang, like magic, 
through the firm walls of the apartments where pale- 
faced women had retired for shelter, shriek upon shriek 
rent the air, and only ceased when those who uttered 
them were assured, in friendly tones, that there were 
wives and daughters by the firesides of those dark war- 
riors, who waited for their coming, and whose purity 
and innocence were not forgotten even in the wild 
excitement of that hour, by those who esteemed and 



176 CAPITULATION. 

loved them. 'Galleries and corridors, chambers and 
balconies, which had oft resounded with the notes of 
merriment and joy, or listened to the endearments of 
affection and the soft accents of love, now echoed 
with the rattle of musketry, the sharp crack of the 
rifle, the clash of steel against steel, the exulting 
shout and the dying groan ; and, high above all the 
din, rose the unceasing thunder of artillery. 

At sunset General Worth's division had reached a 
street but one square in rear of the great plaza, leav- 
ing a covered way behind them, and had carried a 
large building overlooking the principal defences of 
the enemy. The mortar had been sent round by 
General Taylor, and this was placed in position in the 
Plaza de la Capella, masked by the church wall, and 
opened on the main plaza and the cathedral, where the 
enemy were principally collected, and whither the aged 
and helpless had retired as to their only remaining place 
of refuge. Two howitzers and a six-pounder were 
also mounted on the captured building, and every prep- 
aration made during the night to renew the assault at 
dawn of day. But this was rendered unnecessary. 
Monterey was already lost and won ! 

Early in the morning of the 24th a flag was sent out 
by General Ampudia, accompanied by Colonel Moreno 
as the bearer of a communication to General Taylor, 
proposing to evacuate the city with the personnel and 
maUriel of war. This was positively refused, and a 
surrender of the town demanded. Soon after a con- 
ference took place between General Taylor and Gene- 
ral Ampudia, at the quarters of General Worth, which 
resulted in the appointment of commissioners and the 
capitulation of the city.* 

* Considerable parleying took place at the conference, and at th» 



CONDUCT OF AMPUDIA. 177 

sittings of the commissioners, and hostilities were several times upon 
the point of being renewed. At the request of General Ampudia, the 
word "surrender" in the articles was changed to " capitulation," and 
he afterwards desired to have this softened down into " stipulation." 
Several hours were spent in disputes upon immaterial points, until Gen- 
eral Taylor peremptorily announced that he would be trifled with no 
longer. On one occasion, he is reported to have said to General Ampu- 
dia — " Sir, I hold you and your army in the hollow of my hand ; the 
conference is closed, — in thirty minutes you shall hear from my bat- 
teries!" The Mexican general hesitated no longer, the terms were 
agreed upon, and the capitulation signed. 



CHAPTER V. 

wool's column. 

Terms of the Capitulation at Monterey — Armistice— Revolution in Mex- 
ico—Return of Santa Anna — Proposition to negotiate — Evacuation 
of Monterey — Concentration of troops at San Antonio de Bexar — 
March of General Wool — Change of Route — Monclova — Termination 
of the Armistice — Occupation of Saltillo, Parras, and Tampico — The 
Mexican Army at San Luis Potosi— Threatened Attack on Saltillo — 
March to Victoria. 

In whatever light it may be viewed, the capture of 
Monterey must be regarded as one of the most briUiant 
achievements recorded in the annals of modern war- 
fare. Though most advantageously situated and well 
defended, the city was compelled to capitulate, after 
three days' fighting, to an inferior force, without heavy 
artillery, and destitute of the means usually employed 
for the reduction of fortified towns. A simple state- 
ment of the difficulties to be overcome by General 
Taylor and his army, and of the success which crowned 
their efforts, is all that is required to establish their 
claims to the gratitude and admiration of their coun- 
trymen. The terms of the capitulation, however, were 
not entirely satisfactory to the army, or rather, to the 
Texan volunteers, who, it cannot be denied, were 
but too anxious to redress the wrongs which they had 
received during their revolution ; neither were they ap- 
proved by the Executive authorities of the United 



TERMS OP THE CAPITULATION. 179 

States.* It was thought by the President, that an un- 
conditional surrender of the Mexican forces in Monte- 
rey, and of iheir arnls and munitions of war, should 
have been insisted upon by General Taylor ; and that 
the article providing for an armistice was both unnec- 
essary and unadvisable.f 

General Taylor might have taken the city without a 
surrender. There was no misgiving on the part of his 
soldiers. However obstinate the defence, it would cer- 
tainly have been overcome in the end, even though 
every street and plaza had been drenched in blood. On 
the evening of the 24th of September, the exact dis- 
tance to the cathedral and the main plaza was ascer- 
tained by the officer having charge of the mortar, and 
he was prepared to throw his shells accordingly. Had 
no offer to capitulate been received, the fire would have 

* See Correspondence between the Secretary of War and General 
Taylor, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, (pp. 77, et seq.) 2nd Session, 
29th Congress. 

t The following were the terms of the capitulation : 

" Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey, the capital of Nuevo 
Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned Commissioners, to wit: General 
Worth, of the United States Army, General Henderson of the Texan 
Volunteers, and Colonel Davi.s, of the Mississippi Riflemen, on the part 
of Major General Taylor, commanding-in-chief the United States forces, 
and General Requena and General Ortega, of the Army of Mexico, 
and Senor Manuel M. Llano, Governor of Nuevo Leon, on the part of 
Sefior General Don Pedro Arapudia, commanding-in-chief the Army of 
the North of Mexico : 

" Art. L As the legitimate result of the operations before this place, 
and the present position of the contending armies, it is agreed that the 
city, the fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all other pub- 
lic property, with the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the 
commanding general of the United States forces now at Monterey. 

" Art. II. That the Mexican Ibrces be allowed to retain the following 
arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side-arms, the infantry 
their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry their arms and accoutre- 
ments, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed six pieces, with 
twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 



180 C0N3EaUENCE3 OF AN ASSAULT. 

been kept up for a few hours, and this would have been 
followed by an assault, probably on the night of the 
24th. The powder of the enemy *was stored in the ca- 
thedral, and the women and children were collected in 
and ne^r the main plaza. The loss of life which must 
inevitably have attended the assault, and the conse- 
quent explosion of the magazine, would have been 
frightful. Every principle of humanity demanded that 
this should be avoided, if possible, and General Taylor 
and the American commissioners were very willing to 
be governed by such a consideration, when they found 
it was impossible to prevent the escape of the Mexi- 
can soldiers, with all their lie[ht arms and baijcraore, 
through the numerous narrow passes in the rear of the 
city, which they were unable to guard. In his dispatch 
to the Mexican minister at war announcing the surren- 
der, dated on the 25th of September, Ampudia intima- 

" Art. III. That the Mexican armed forces retire, within seven days 
from this date, beyond the hne formed by the pass of Rinconada, the 
city of Linares, and San Fernando de Parras. 

" Art. IV. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexi- 
can and occupied by the American forces to-morrow morning at ten 
o'clock. 

" Art. V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the 
troops of the United States will not occupy the city until tlie Mexican 
forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. 

" Art. VI. That the forces of the United States will not advance be- 
yond the line specified in the 3rd article, before the expiration of eight 
weeks, or until orders or instructions of the respective governments can 
be received. 

" Art. VII. That the public property to be delivered, shall be turned 
over and received by officers appointed by the conmianding generals of 
the two armies. 

" Art. VIII. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preced- 
ing articles, shall be solved by an equitable construction, or on princi- 
ples of liberality to the retiring army. 

'= Art. IX. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may 
be saluted by its own battery. 

" Done at Monterey, Sept. 24, 184G.'' 



THE ARMISTICE. 181 

ted that he would have been compelled to open his way 
with the bayonet. His assertion, however, is not enti- 
tled to much weight, because he undoubtedly anticipa- 
ted censure, and was anxious to avoid it by represent- 
ing his* situation to have been desperate as possible. 
Military men who have examined the ground, and all 
the abler and more experienced officers in the army of 
General Taylor, concur in the opinion that the terms 
of the capitulation were as rigorous as ought to have 
been required ; and he must be a bold man who would 
undertake to question the judgment of those who are 
so competent to decide. 

The armistice was another feature of the capitulation 
to which objections were made. General Taylor was 
not in a situation to advance from Monterey, or to pros- 
ecute the war, on account of the severe loss he had 
sustained, and the want of necessary supplies, until a 
very few days before the expiration of the term pre- 
scribed in the article. So far, therefore, as the force 
under his immediate command was concerned, the 
delay would have been necessary under any circum- 
stances, and could have produced no injurious results. 
The enemy desired the armistice; it might have had 
the tendency to restore friendly relations at once ; and 
good policy required the concession to be made. But 
while the army was on its march to Monterey, and 
employed in its reduction, an expedition was planned 
by the President and his cabinet against Tampico and 
the southern part of the department of Tamaulipas, 
below the line which neither party was to cross while 
the armistice was in force. In the month of June pre- 
vious. General Taylor had been placed in the full com- 
mand of all the land forces of the United States opera- 
ting against the republic of Mexico, south of the prov 



182 REVOLUTION IN' MEXICO. 

ince of New Mexico ;* this order had not been coun- 
termanded ; the contemplated movement against Tam- 
pico was not known to him or to the American com- 
missioners ; and they did all that was required of them, 
in leaving the armistice subject to the ratification of 
their government. But beside all this, General Taylor 
was instructed by the Secretary of War, that hostili- 
ties were to be prosecuted for the conquest of a speedy 
and honorable peace ;t Ampudia expressly stated in the 
conference that propositions for peace had been made ; 
it was notorious, too, that negotiations had been, or 
were, in progress ; the object of the war seemed about 
to be gained ; and the commissioners of both countries 
were influenced in their deliberations by these consid- 
erations. 

The propositions for peace alluded to by Ampudia, 
were made by the authorities of the United States, in 
the month of July, in consequence of a change in the 
Mexican government. Paredes was never firmly seated 
in power. As early as the 8th of March, 1846, Santa 
Anna, then in exile at Havana, addressed a confiden- 
tial letter to a friend in Mexico, accompanied with his 
plan for a revolution. He declared that his sentiments 
were changed in relation to the proper form of govern- 
ment for his countrymen, and that he was willing one 
should be established by a Congress to be chosen in ac- 
cordance with the electoral laws under which the mem- 
bers of the Congress of 1824 were elected. These views 
were satisfactory to the leading federalists, and it was de- 
signed to make a movement on the 1st of April. J The 

* House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, (p. 50,) 2nd Session, 29lh Congress, 
t Ibid., loc. cit. 

■^ House of Rep. Exec. Doc. ,4, (pp. 34, et seq.) 2nd Session. SDtb 
Conjiress. 



RETURN OF SANl K ANNA. 183 

main reliance of Paredes was upon the army, and this 
could not be withdrawn from him, or secured by the 
friends of Santa Anna and the federalists, until after the 
battles on the Rio Grande. The cry was then raised, that 
the war had not been conducted with sufficient vigor 
or skill. Paredes was deposed and thrown into prison, 
but afterwards made his escape to Havana. General 
Salas, the firm friend of Santa Anna, was chosen pro- 
visional President, and immediately issued a decree 
requiring a Congress to be elected and to assemble on 
the 6th of December following, under the laws in force 
in 1824. In the meantime it was declared that the 
constitution of 1824 should be the supreme law of the 
land. Santa Anna arrived at Vera Cruz on the 16th 
of August, having been allowed to pass the blockading 
squadron without opposition, in pursuance of instruc- 
tions from the Navy Department. 

The order received by Commodore Conner to allow 
Santa Anna to enter the Mexican ports freely, if he 
endeavored to do so, although he could unquestionably 
have returned had it not been in existence, was issued, 
on the 13th of May 1846. It was then supposed that 
his presence in Mexico might lead to the overthrow of 
Paredes, and to the establishment of a government more 
favorable to peace ; but this proved to be a mistake.* 
Paredes originally came into power as the friend of 
war ; yet the very men who were the most active in 
deposing him were compelled to make similar profes- 
sions. The popular feeling was warlike, and the army 
were dissatisfied in consequence of their reverses. 
Whatever may have been the private sentiments of 
Santa Anna, however much he was inclined to peace, 

* Annual Message of PresiJent Polk, December, 184G: Special Mee- 
sage and accompanying documents, January 12, 1848. 



184 OVERTURES FOR PEACE. 

he could never have regained any part of his formei 
influence, except as the decided supporter of wax 
measures. He was too wise not to understand thai 
the true policy of his country should have been the 
restoration of peace, but he was also too ambitious not 
to yield to the current bearing every thing before it. 
He was not ignorant of the prevailing fondness of the 
Mexican people for military heroes, and he well knew 
that his own fame must be rejuvenated, and the laurels 
which had been withered at San Jacinto, restored to 
their original freshness, before he could succeed in guid- 
ing or controlling them. Had he been able to have 
achieved one victory, — had he forced his way through 
the wall of living men who blocked up the narrow 
pass of Angostura, or maintained his position on the 
heights of Cerro Gordo, he would have been hailed 
with loud acclaim as the saviour of his country. At 
such an hour, and under such circumstances, he might 
have recommended peace, and his advice would have 
been followed without hesitation, i- 

As soon as it became known that a new government 
had been established in Mexico, the olive branch was 
again tendered to her. Mr. Buchanan addressed a 
letter to the Mexican minister of foreign relations, on 
the 27th of July 1846, proposing that negotiations 
should be opened for the conclusion of a peace. The 
minister, Mr. Rejon, replied on the 31st of August, 
declining any action in the premises, except that of 
simply laying the proposition before the Congress to 
assemble in December.* The result of this attempt to 
open negotiations between the two countries for the 
adjustment of their difficulties, was not known at 

• House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 4, (pp. 40, et seq.) 2nJ Session, 29th 
Congress. i 



EVACUATION OP MONTEREY. 185 

the time of the capitulation at Monterey. A govern- 
ment supposed to be more favorable to psace was in 
existence, and friendly overtures had been made. For 
this reason the request of Ampudia for an armistice 
was granted by General Taylor and the American 
commissioners. 

On the 25th of September the citadel in front of 
Monterey was occupied by a detachment of the Amer- 
ican army under Colonel P. F. Smith, and the Mexi- 
can troops soon after evacuated the town. Ampudia 
retired with his forces to Saltillo. He endeavored to 
prevail upon the inhabitants to fortify the place and 
prepare for resistance. Being unsuccessful, he pro- 
ceeded with the main body of his army to San Luis 
Potosi, where he was placed in arrest, and ordered to 
be tried by a court martial, for neglecting to maintain 
his position at Monterey. 

Thirty-five pieces of artillery, and a large amount of 
ammunition, were surrendered to General Taylor in 
pursuance of the terms of the capitulation. The loss 
sustained by his army before Monterey was 488; eigh- 
teen officers were killed, or subsequently died of 
their wounds,* and twenty-six were wounded ; there 
were one hundred and eight men killed, and three 
hundred and thirty-seven wounded. The loss of the 
enemy was not ascertained, but was supposed to exceed 
five hundred. 

* The names of the officers killed were, Captain Williams, topo- 
graphical engineers; Lieutenant Terrett, 1st infantry; Major Barbour, 
Captains Morris and Field, Lieutenants Irwin and Hazlitt, 3rd infantry ; 
Lieutenants Hoskins and Woods, 4th infantry; Captain M'Kavett, 8th 
infantry ; Lieutenant Colonel Watson, Baltimore and Washington bat- 
talion ; Captain Battlem and Lieutenant Putnam. 1st Tennessee ; Lieu- 
tenant Hett, Ohio regiment; and Captain Gillespie, Texan volunteers. 
Lieutenant Dihvorth, 1st infantry, Major Lear, 3rd infantry, and Lieut. 
Graham, 4th infantry, died of their wounds after the occupation of the city. 



186 MARCH OF GENERAL WOOL. 

Immediately after the passage of the act of May 13, 
1846, General Wool was ordered to muster into service 
the volunteers from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Tennessee and Mississippi. In the brief period of six 
weeks fourteen and a half regiments were organized, 
and on their way to the seat of war. Ten thousand 
men were sent to reinforce General Taylor, and the 
remainder, about twenty-five hundred in number, were 
ordered to San Antonio de Bexar. General Wool 
landed at La Vaca on Matagorda Bay, on the 2nd of 
August, with the 1st and 2nd Illinois regiments, and 
from thence marched to the appointed rendezvous of his 
division. Colonel Harney, of the 2nd dragoons, had 
been previously stationed at San Antonio with a small 
force of regular cavalry, and several companies of 
Texan volunteers, for the protection of the frontier 
from Indian incursions. The other regiments and de- 
tachments ordered to join General Wool arrived during 
the month of August. Several weeks were spent in 
hauling the supplies for the army from La Vaca, the 
nearest point to San Antonio on the Gulf; but the time 
was profitably employed in organizing and drilling the 
command preparatory to taking the field. 

All things being made ready, the advance of the 
army of the centre, under Colonel Harney, marched 
from San Antonio on the 26th of September. General 
Wool left on tlie 29th ; the 1st Illinois regiment under 
Colonel Hardin marched on the 2nd of October ; and 
the rear under Colonel Churchill, Inspector-general, 
followed in a few days, consisting of the 2nd Illinois 
and various detachments belonging to the different 
corps.* From San Antonio the route lay westward to 

* The central division, under General Wool, consisted of four com- 
panies of the 2nd dragoons, Colonel Harney ; one company of the 4th 



DISCIPLINE OF III3 TROOPS. 187 

the Rio Grande opposite Presidio, a distance of one 
hundred and fifty-seven miles, through a tract of coun- 
try about equally divided into fertile prairies, sandy 
barrens, and marshy chaparrals. Boats had been con- 
structed at San Antonio for crossing the Rio Grande, 
and transported over land. The passage of the river, 
therefore, was effected without difficulty, on the 10th 
of October. 

General Wool anticipated resistance on entering the 
enemy's country, but was amply prepared to meet it. 
His men were well provided, and in a fine state of dis- 
cipline. The rules and regulations which he laid down 
and enforced were often regarded as being too harsh 
and severe, but they contributed materially to preserve 
the health and efficiency of his command. Every halt 
or delay was improved in drilling and manoeuvring the 
troops ; complaints were loud and frequent among the 
volunteers ; yet their commander would permit no re- 
laxation. Himself a soldier in every sense of the word, 
he knew what constituted the real strength of an army. 
He would not suffer the discipline of his command to 
be neglected upon any consideration, and those who 
complained the most bitterly learned to bless the cau- 
tious foresight that saved them from utter destruction 
on the bloody field of Buena Vista.* 

Leaving the Rio Grande at Presidio, General Wool 
marched through Nava and San Fernando to Santa 

artillery, Captain Washington, with eight pieces, two twelve pounders, 
and the remainder six pounders ; battalion of Gth infantry. Major Bonne- 
ville; Colonel Yell's regiment Arkansas mounted volunteers; 1st Illinois 
infantry, Colonel Hardin ; 2nd Illinois, Colonel Bissell ; and one com- 
pany of Kentucky Cavalry, and one of Texan volunteers. Total 
strength, 2,829. 

• See the Correspondence between General Wool and the Illinois 
volunteers, June, 1847. 



188 ARravAL at monclova. 

Rosa, taking peaceable possession of the different towns 
on his route ; the Mexican population neither possess- 
ing the means, nor the incHnation, to oppose his move- 
ments. At Santa Rosa he unexpectedly found an im- 
passable barrier to his further advance in the direction 
of Chihuahua. The tall peaks of the Sierra Gorda, 
fringed with cedars, and concealing countless stores of 
wealth within their bosoms, towered to the very clouds 
before him, and looked down frowningly upon the ste- 
rile plains, the fertile valleys, the beautiful haciendas 
and olive groves, of Coahuila. There was no pathway 
through the mountains, and to storm that mighty breast- 
work which nature had reared, was beyond the power 
and skill of his soldiers. He therefore turned aside to 
Monclova, the ancient capital of the province, where 
he arrived on the 29th of October. The Spanish in- 
habitants of this town are wealthy, intelligent and re- 
fined, hospitable and courteous. The American army 
were received and treated with marked kindness and 
condescension ; and on informing General Taylor, then 
at Monterey, of his arrival at Monclova, General Wool 
was directed to remain there until further orders. 

Immediately upon his landing at Vera Cruz, Santa 
Anna issued a proclamation containing similar senti- 
ments with those communicated to his friends, while he 
was at Havana, and retired temporarily to his hacienda 
of Mang-o de Clavo, where he remained until the month 
of September. He then set out for the city of Mexico, 
and arrived at Ayotla, on the 14th of September. At 
this place he received a communication offering him 
the supreme executive power, or dictatorship, of the 
republic, in the name of the provisional government. 
This was accepted on the same day, and he thus be- 
came, as he styled himself, '* the Commander in Chief 



MEXICAN ARMY AT SAN LUIS POTOSI. 180 

of the Liberating Army of Mexico." On the 15th of 
September he entered the capital amid the congratula- 
tions of his fellow-citizens, thousands of whom assem- 
bled to celebrate the re-establishment of the federal 
constitution, to join in "the glorious cry of Dolores," 
and to welcome the soldier and hero whom they already 
fancied as their deliverer. Decrees had been previously 
issued providing for the increase of the forces, their 
supply and equipment ; and Santa Anna hastened 
directly to the head-quarters of the northern army at 
San Luis Potosi, to receive the new levies, and con- 
duct the future operations of the war in that quarter. 
The spirit of the nation was aroused. San Luis was 
soon filled to overflowing with troops, and even the 
women came down in crowds, from San Diego and 
Tlascala, to cheer the soldiers by their presence, and 
encourage them by their approving words and smiles. 

On the second of September a dispatch was for- 
warded to General Taylor from the War Department, 
directing him to make preparations for an expedition 
against Tampico, to be commanded by General Pat- 
terson, in which allusions were made to an advance 
upon San Luis Potosi if found practicable. This dis- 
patch was intercepted by the enemy, and prepara- 
tions were forthwith made by the Mexican forces at 
San Luis to check the advance of the American army, 
which was supposed to be in contemplation. Deeming 
it impossible to hold Tampico, the garrison was with- 
drawn on the 27th of October. Early in November 
Santa Anna was officially notified by General Taylor 
that the armistice would terminate on the 13th instant, 
and that hostilities would thereupon be recommenced. 
The work on the fortifications erected at San Luis was 
now prosecuted as rapidly as possible ; the water-tanks 



190 OCCUPATION OF SALTILLO. 

on the road leading from Saltillo were destroyed ; antf 
General Miilon was ordered with a body of cavalry to 
hold that route in observation, while General Urrea was 
sent to Tula with a similar force, to keep watch over 
the passes in the vicinity of Tampico and Victoria.* 

General Taylor remained quietly at Monterey for 
several weeks after the capitulation. Occasional ex- 
cesses were committed by some of the lawless volun- 
teers under his command ; but this evil was promptly 
checked by an order forbidding their free ingress into 
the town. The main body of the troops were en- 
camped at Walnut Springs, and the city occupied by 
a garrison detailed for that purpose. On the 5th of 
November he notified Santa Anna that the armistice 
would terminate previous to the expiration of the time 
specified in the articles of capitulation, in accordance 
with instructions received from the War Department ; 
and on the 13th he advanced towards Saltillo, the cap- 
ital of Coahuila, about seventy miles beyond Monterey, 
accompanied by General Worth with about 1200 men 
under his command. General Taylor regarded the 
occupation of this town as being of the highest impor- 
tance. It appeared to be a necessary outpost to Mon- 
terey, and covered both the defile leading from the 
lower country to the table land in the interior, and the 

* It is stated iit a letter written from Mexico, that Santa Anna col- 
lected his army at San Luis Potosi, with the intention of advancing 
against General Taylor, (Frost's Life of General Taylor, p. 2l4.) The 
movements of the Mexican commander do not appear to justify any 
Buch conclusion. He expected to be attacked, and made preparations 
to defend his position. Indeed, after the dispatch of the 2nd of Sep- 
tember was intercepted, he could have formed no other opinion. Gen- 
eral Taylor did not advance, and when a portion of his troops were 
withdrawn, and the Mexican people began to complain on account 
of the delay, Santa Anna moved forward with his army, but not until 
that time. 



GENERAL WOOL ORDERED TO PARRAS. 191 

road to Parras, situated in one of the richest sections 
of northern Mexico, and from which large supphes of 
cattle and breadstuffs could be drawn if required. No 
opposition was made to the occupation of Saltillo, the 
governor of the State contenting himself with a mere 
protest.. General Worth was left in command, and 
General Taylor returned to Monterey. 

Tampico was taken without opposition, by a por- 
tion of the Gulf squadron, on the 14th of November, 
and soon after garrisoned by eight companies of artil- 
lery, under Lieutenant Colonel Belton, and a regiment 
of Alabama volunteers, well supplied with heavy ord- 
nance and provisions, the whole commanded by Gene- 
ral Shields. Towards the close of the month General 
Wool was ordered with his force to Parras, where he 
experienced the same kind treatment from the inhabit- 
ants which he had met at Monclova. He lay encamped 
for a number of weeks in the Alameda ; every atten- 
tion was paid to his wants ; and whenever his men 
were sick, he was invited by the citizens to bring them 
into their houses. Saltillo and Santa Fe being in pos- 
session of the American troops, it w^as not thought ad- 
visable for him to proceed to Chihuahua, as that town 
could be occupied at any moment if it should be found 
necessary. 

The distance from Saltillo to San Luis Potosi is not 
far from three hundred miles, and for a greater part of 
the w^ay very poorly supplied with water. General 
Taylor early formed the opinion that a march to San 
Luis w^ould not be expedient, but that if the war was 
to be prosecuted, an expedition against Vera Cruz, and 
an advance movement from thence in the direction of 
the capital, would be preferable. These views were 



192 MARCH TO VICTORIA. 

communicated at different times to his government.* 
In anticipation of receiving tiie necessary orders to pre- 
pare a part of the troops under his command for the 
expedition, he left Monterey for Victoria, the capital of 
Tamaulipas, with all his disposable forces, under the 
command of Generals Twiggs and Quitman,, on the 
15th of December, having already directed General 
Patterson to join him at that place with the regiment 
of Tennessee cavalry, and two regiments of volunteer 
infantry. General Butler remained in command of the 
reserve at Monterey. At Montemorelos General Tay- 
lor effected a junction with the 2nd infantry under Col- 
onel Riley, and the 2nd Tennessee foot. While here 
he received a dispatch from General Worth, informing 
him that Saltillo was threatened by Santa Anna, who 
was within three days' march, and that he could hold 
the position for that time against any force that might 
be brought against him, but would require assistance 
on the fourth day. General Quitman was ordered to 
continue his march to Victoria with the volunteers, 
reinforced by a field battery, and General Taylor re- 
turned to Monterey with the regulars under General 
Twiggs. 

Generals Butler and Wool had also been advised of 
the threatened attack on Saltillo, and had moved rapidly 

* " I am decidedly opposed to carrying the war beyond Saltillo in this 
direction, which place has been entirely abandoned by the Mexican 
forces, all of whom have been concentrated at San Luis Potosi. * * » • 
If we are, (in the language of Mr. Polk and General Scott,) under the 
necessity of ' conquering a peace,' — and that by taking the Capital of 
the country, — we must go to Vera Cruz, take that place, and then march 
on the city of Mexico." — Letter of General Taylor to General Gaines, 
November 5, 1847. See also, General Taylor's letters to the Adjatant 
General, dated July 2nd, October 15th, November 8th, 9th, and lath, 
and December 8th, and to President Polk dated August 1st, in House 
of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, 2nd session, 29th Congress. ( 



THREATENED ATTACK ON SALTILLO. 193 

to join General Worth with all their available forces. 
General Wool received the intelligence on the even- 
ing of the 17th, and in two hours his whole army was 
in motion. He was three nights upon the road, and 
his men were aroused at one o'clock in the morning to 
resume the march. When they arrived near Saltillo, 
his soldiers, who had confidently anticipated a battle, 
were much chagrined to find that the alarm proved 
to be unfounded. On the 21st of December General 
Wool took position with his command at Agua Nueva, 
a small rancho seventeen miles south of Saltillo and 
near the great pass through the mountains, in order to 
hold the approaches from San Luis in observation. 

On his way to Saltillo Genei'al Taylor was informed 
that the position was no longer in danger. He there- 
fore retraced his steps to the camp near Monterey, and 
in a few days again started for Victoria. At Monte- 
morelos,an officer of the topographical engineers, with 
a squadron of cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel May, 
was dispatched to reconnoitre a pass through the moun- 
tains to Labradores, and thence to Linares. The 
reconnaissance was effected, but on the return of the 
party to Linares, the baggage and ten men of the rear 
guard were cut off in a narrow pass beyond San Pedro. 
Lieutenant Colonel May dismounted a portion of the 
squadron and repassed the defile, in the hope of rescu- 
ing his men. Occasional shots were fired upon him 
from the cliffs overhead, but he did not encounter the 
enemy. 

General Q,uitman occupied Victoria without resist- 
ance on the 29th of December. A body of the ene- 
my's cavaify, numbering about 1,500, and belonging to 
a strong division of observation stationed at Tula un- 
der General Valencia, were in the town when he ap- 

9 



194 LINE OF THE SIERRA MADRE. 

preached, but retired before he came up, to Jamauve. 
General Taylor arrived on the 4th of January with the 
regulars under General Twiggs, and was joined on the 
same day by General Patterson with the regiments 
ordered from Matamoras. The united force amounted 
to more than 5,000 men. With the possession of Vic- 
toria, every prominent town on the line of the Sierra 
Madre, between Saltillo and Tampico, was occupied 
by General Taylor with the forces under his command. 




COM. CONNER. 



CHAPTER VI. 

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE GULP. 

The American Navy — The Home Squadron — Blockade of the Mexican 
Ports — Loss of the Truxton — Laws passed by the Government of 
Mexico to encourage Privateering — Attempt against Alvarado — At- 
tack on Tabasco — Occupation of Tampico — Burning of the Creole — 
Wreck of the Somers — Capture of Laguna. 

When the American people shall forget how freely 
the generous blood of Lawrence and Decatur was 
shed in maintaining their rights, and defending their 
flag, — when the valor and intrepidity of Porter and 
HjH, of Perry and Macdonough, and the brave asso- 
ciates who shared their dangers, and contributed to 
their renown, are no longer remembered, — then, but 
not until then, will the navy upon which they have 
never yet relied in vain, cease to occupy the prominent 
place in their estimation and regard, which it has so 
long maintained. If the country had derived no other 
benefit from its organization, the security rendered to 
her commerce would be an ample repayment for every 
outlay ; but, in addition to this, we are indebted to it,' 
in no unimportant degree, for the deference and respect 
manifested by the nations of the world in their inter- 
course with us. The officers and seamen of our navy 
have shown themselves, on repeated occasions, and 
under the most trying circumstances, to be prompt and 
zealous in the performance of their duty. We have 
learned to look upon them as the appointed guardians 



196 THE HOME SaUADRON. 

of the national honor, on other shores, and in foreign 
lands ; and it is something of which they may well 
be proud, that they have never proved faithless to 
their trust. 

On the day of the passage of the act declaring that 
war existed with Mexico, Commodore Conner was 
officially notified of the event, and instructed to block- 
ade the Mexican ports on the Gulf; his attention be- 
ing more particularly directed to that part of the coast 
between the Goatzacoalcos and the Rio Grande.* 
Several vessels of war were also dispatched, as soon 
as they could be got in readiness, to reinforce the 
squadron under his command. f Anterior to this he 
had rendered important services to the army of oc- 
cupation, commanded by General Taylor, in their 
operations on the Rio Grande ; and upon the reception 
of his instructions, he prepared at once to carry them 
into effect. Most of the time, during the summer 
months, was spent in discharging the inactive, ar.J 
sometimes irksome duties of the blockade, varied but 
rarely by any incident of more than ordinary moment. 
Commodore Conner made an unsuccessful attempt to 
capture the port of Alvarado, on the 7th of August, 
1846 ; none of his vessels being of sufficiently light 
draught to cross the bar.J Commander Carpenter, 

* This direction was given, in order to exempt Yucatan from the 
blockade. 

•j- After the arrival of the vessels ordered to the Gulf, the Home Squad- 
ron consisted of the frigates Cumberland and Raritan, 44 guns each ; 
sloops of war, Falmouth, John Adams, and St. Mary's, 20 guns each ; 
steamer Mississippi, 10 guns, (Paixhan) ; steamer Princeton, 9 guns; 
brigs Porpoise, Somers, Lawrence, Perry, and Truxton, 10 guns each ; 
and the schooner Flirt. Total number of guns, 217. 

^ One effect produced by the Gulf stream is, to cause the accumulation 
of numerous sand-bars along the eastern coast of Mexico, and especi- 
ally across the mouths of the rivers. But very few of the ports can be 



LAWS TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATEERING. 197 

of the brig Truxton, was still more unfortunate, in a 
similar enterprise against Tuspan, on the 15th of the 
same month. His vessel grounded on the bar at the 
mouth of the river ; every effort was made to get her 
off, but all proved of no avail. It was found impos- 
sible to save her, and she was abandoned. Lieujpn- 
ant Hunter made his escape with a boat's crew, to 
another vessel of the squadron, and the remaining 
officers and men surrendered to the enemy, but were 
afterwards exchanged, at the instance of the Mexican 
government, for General La Vega, and other prisoners 
taken by General Taylor. 

Though it may not have been often expressed in 
words, it is certain that a very general feeling of regret 
was entertained throughout the country, when it be- 
came known, after the commencement of hostilities 
with Mexico, that no opportunity would be afforded to 
the navy for the performance of distinguished services 
upon their own appropriate theatre. Mexico was al- 
most without a naval establishment ; her marine con- 
sisting only of a few brigs, small steamers, and gunboats, 
intended rather for coast and harbor defence, than for 
offensive operations on the ocean. *Soon after the re- 
turn of Santa Anna, however, a plan was devised for 
annoying American commerce, which it was thought, 
at one time, would afford an opportunity for our navy 
to display its unquestioned gallantry and heroism. On 
the 11th of September, a special decree was enacted 
by the Mexican Congress, for the naturalization of for- 
eigners, and on the 24th instant, regulations were es- 
tablished for privateering, under which prize letters 

entered at all, except by vessels of light draught, unless with the assist- 
ance of camels; and the principal harbor, the bay of Vera Cruz, has 
been justly called " nothing more than a bad roadstead." 



198 ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE ALVARADO. 

were issued by General Salas, then charged with the 
supreme executive power. Officers in the Mexican 
service were sent to Havana, and other ports, with 
blank commissions for privateers, letters of citizenship, 
and naturalization papers for crews, which were offered 
for sale. The prompt measures taken by the Captain 
General, in conformity with the stipulations of the 
treaty between Spain and the United States, to pre- 
vent the fitting out of privateers in the harbors on the 
island of Cuba, and the absence of sufficient pecuniary 
inducements to risk a capture by the American men- 
of-war, rendered the attempt of the Mexican govern- 
ment entirely abortive.* 

Small steamers and schooners adapted for entering 
the harbors in the Gulf, were purchased for the use of 
the Home Squadron, in the fall of 1846; and on the 
15th of October, Commodore Conner made a second 
effort to capture Alvarado. The entrance of the river 
was defended by several batteries that opened a brisk 
fire on the American vessels, which attempted to cross 
the bar in two divisions. The first, consisting of the 
schooners Reefer and Bonita, towed by the steamer 
Vixen, crossed in safety, and engaged with the bat- 
teries ; the steamer Mississippi, commanded by Com- 
modore Matthew C. Perry, having also gained a favor- 
able position, brought her heavy guns to bear, and 
nearly destroyed one of the enemy's breastworks ; but 
unfortunately, the steamer McLane, with the schooners 
Nonata and Petrel, and the revenue cutter Forward, in 
tow, comprising the second division, grounded on the 
bar, and the enterprise was again defeated. Commo- 
dore Conner thought it would be imprudent to go for- 

* House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 4, (pp. 40, ct seq.) 2nd session, 29tli 
Congress. 



CAPTURE OF FRONTEIRA. 199 

ward with the first division alone, and reluctantly or- 
dered it to retire. 

On the following day Commodore Perry sailed for 
Tabasco with the steamer Mississippi and the small 
vessels. This town is the capital of the State of the 
same name, one of the richest and most fertile in Mex- 
ico, and is especially celebrated for its exportation of 
spice, produced in the extensive forests near the river 
Baraderas. It is situated on the river Goatzacoalcos, 
about eighty miles in the interior, and has formerly pos- 
sessed considerable trade, mainly carried on by foreign 
merchants. The small town of Fronteira lies near the 
mouth of the river seventy-four miles below Tabasco, 
and, in the early part of the war, was a famous place 
of rendezvous for the vessels and steamers of the enemy 
engaged in bringing munitions of war from Yucatan 
into Mexico. 

Commodore Perry arrived off the debouchure of the 
Goatzacoalcos on the 23rd of October. The Missis- 
sippi remained at anchor outside, in charge of Com- 
mander Adams, while the Commodore crossed the bar 
in the Vixen, Captain Sands, having in tow the Bonita, 
Lieutenant Benham, and Forward, Captain Nones, and 
several barges containing a detachment of sailors and 
marines organized for service on shore, if required, un- 
der Captain Forrest. The Nonata, Lieutenant Haz- 
ard, followed under sail. Notwithstanding her heavy 
drag, the Vixen steadily ascended the stream against a 
four-knot current. On arriving near Fronteira, they 
found that the alarm had been given, though the enemy 
were unprepared for resistance. Two steamers were 
discovered firing up, in order to make their escape by 
ascending the river ; but it was too late. The Vixen 
cast off her tow in an instant, and darted in advance, 



000 ATTACK ON TOBASCO. 

with the other vessels and barges following quickly in 
her wake. No attempt was made to defend the town, 
or the Mexican vessels in the port, all which were 
captured by the Americans. The schooner Amada 
endeavored to get up the river ; but she was pursued 
by the Bonita, and easily overtaken. 

Being anxious to reach Tabasco before the enemy had 
time to strengthen their defences, Commodore Perry 
ordered the detachment under Captain Forrest to be 
transferred to the Petrita, the largest of the captured 
steamers, which also took in tow the Nonata and For- 
ward, with the barges. The Bonita was attached to 
the Vixen as before. The flotilla being in readiness, 
they pi'oceeded up the river on the morning of the 24th, 
Lieutenant Walsh having been left with a party in 
command at Fronteira. At nine o'clock in the fore- 
noon of the ensuing day they came in sight of Fort Ac- 
cachappa, erected to command a difficult pass in the 
river, where the high and steep banks approached 
nearer to each other, and the graceful branches of the 
cotton-wood, the fan-like leaves of the palmetto, the 
velvet foliage of the magnolia, and the long trailing 
moss, growing upon the opposite shores, mingled their 
rich hues together in the watery mirror beneath them. 
Anticipating resistance at this point, arrangements were 
made to land Captain Forrest with his detachment, 
when it was found that the men had fled who were 
employed in preparing the guns in the fort for service. 
After spiking the artillery the fleet passed on its way 
unmolested. At noon the whole flotilla anchored in 
front of Tabasco, within musket range of the town, and 
formed in line of battle. Captain Forrest was immedi- 
ately sent on shore with a flag to summon the city to 



REFUSAL TO CAPITULATE. 201 

surrender ; and in the meantime five merchant vessels 
found at anchor in the river were secured. 

The governor of Tabasco was inclined to be exceed- 
ingly valiant of speech, though very careful that his- 
tory should chronicle no exhibition of his daring and 
prowess in defending the State from invasion ; and in 
reply to Commodore Perry, he not only refused to 
capitulate, but invited him to open his fire as soon 
as he pleased. The town was completely at the mercy 
of the American vessels ; but the Commodore was un- 
willing to destroy it, and therefore ordered the guns of 
the Vixen to be fired at the flag-staff and over the 
houses. At the third discharge the flag-staff" was seen 
to fall, whereupon Captain Forrest again went ashore 
to inquire whether it had been shot away or struck by 
the enemy. He was informed that it had been cut 
down by the shot, and that the city would not be sur- 
rendered. The firing was now renewed, and the de- 
tachment of sailors and marines landed under cover of 
the guns. Captain Forrest took a position in the town 
with his command, notwithstanding a scattering fire of 
musketry from the enemy, and remained there until 
the approach of evening, when Commodore Perry di- 
rected the party to return to the vessels, fearing that 
they might be cut off" in the narrow streets after dark, 
as they were unused to this kind of warfare, and 
would naturally be too indiflferent to their personal 
safety and security. 

During the night the American sailors lay at their 
quarters, ready to return the fire of the enemy's artil- 
lery, which it was supposed would be planted in the 
streets opening towards the river. Nothing of the kind 
was attempted, although the straggling fire from their 
small arms was kept up, but without producing any 

9* 



20® APPEAL OF THE MEECHANTS. 

alarm, or causing serious injury. Soon after the at- 
tack was renewed on the following morning, Commo- 
dore Perry learned that the foreign merchants, who 
had been the greatest sufferers from his fire, and the 
citizens generally, were in favor of an immediate cap- 
itulation, but were overruled by the governor, who ap- 
peared entirely unconcerned for the safety of them or 
their property. An earnest appeal was made to the 
American commander, by the merchants, not to des- 
troy the town. It was not designed to occupy the 
place, in any event, on account of its insalubrity, and 
as the main object of the expedition, the captui'e of 
the Mexican vessels, had been accomplished, the com- 
modore decided to drop down the river with his prizes. 
The latter were soon got under way, in advance of the 
flotilla, and a white flag was hoisted, as a notice to 
the citizens of the town, that they would not be again 
molested. At this moment it was discovered that one 
of the prizes in command of Lieutenant Parker, had 
drifted ashore, and that a large body of the enemy had 
collected behind the houses in the vicinity, and were 
pouring volley after volley of musketry into her. The 
movement down the river was forthwith suspended, 
and a general fire from the flotilla opened upon the 
town. A number of houses were demolished, and the 
smoking ruins attested the severity of the chastisement 
which had been so cowardly provoked. The enemy's 
fire was speedily silenced. Lieutenant Parker bravely 
defended his vessel, and succeeded in getting her afloat, 
with the loss of one man killed, and two wounded. 
Lieutenant Morris was also killed while bearing an or- 
der from the commodore to Lieutenant Parker. 

No further attempt was made to molest the Amer- 
ican vessels or their prizes, and they continued down 



BURNING OF THE CREOLE. 203 

the river. On his return to Fronteira, Commodore 
Perry dispatched his prizes that were of sufficient 
value to be manned, to Vera Cruz, and destroyed all 
the smaller craft. The McLane and Forward were left 
to blockade the river ; and on the 31st. the remainder 
of the fleet proceeded to rejoin Commodore Conner. 

Orders were issued from the Navy Department, in 
October, to capture and occupy Tampico, with a view 
of masking an attack on Vera Cruz and the Castle of 
San Juan de Ulua, then in contemplation. In accord- 
ance therewith, Commodore Conner sailed for that port 
on the 13th of November, with a considerable portion 
of his squadron, and on the 14th took possession of the 
city, without opptjsition, — the armed forces of the 
enemy having been previously withdrawn.* 

During the absence of the squadron, the brig Somers, 
Lieutenant Semmes, remained off Vera Cruz, to con- 
tinue the blockade. On the evening of the 20th of 
November, a most daring exploit was performed by 
Lieutenant Parker, and Passed Midshipmen Rodgers 
and Hynson, belonging to the vessel, in a small boat 
manned by six men. Protected by the darkness of the 
night, they surprised the bark Creole, which had been 
engaged in conveying munitions of war into the coun- 
try, in defiance of the blockade, as she lay at anchor, 
beneath the walls of the castle. The men left to guard 

• A number of small vessels were also captured in the harbor of 
Tampico ; the prize money for those taken at this place and at Tobasco 
amounting to about ^220,000. Previous to the capture of Tampico, 
Commodore Conner received full information in regard to its defences, 
vrith a plan of the town, the forts, and the harbor, from Mrs. Ann Chase, 
the wife of the American Consul. She manifested an extraordinary 
degree of intrepidity and determination on the approach of the squad- 
ron. In spite of the opposition of the ayuntamiento, (city counc ), she 
persisted in hoisting the flag of her country, and was neither mo 3d by 
solicitations, nor intimidated by menace. 



204 WRECK OF THE SOMERS. 

the vessel were put on shore, and the craft set on fire. 
On the 5th of December, Midshipman Rodgers, in com- 
pany with Assistant Surgeon Wright, and one of the 
crew, went ashore to reconnoitre the enemy's mag- 
azines. They had proceeded but| a short distance 
from the beach when they were surrounded by a party 
of Mexicans. Dr. Wright fortunately made his es- 
cape, but his two companions were taken prisoners.* 
This event was followed by a still more serious disas- 
ter, on the 8th instant. Indications of a northerly gale 
wei*e observed in the evening of the 7 th, and the 
Somers took shelter under Green Island. A sail was 
reported from aloft the next morning, and she stood 
out for several miles, when the approaching vessel was 
ascertained to be the John Adams, on her way back from 
Tampico, to relieve the Somers in the blockade. As 
the latter was returning to her anchorage, a sUspicious- 
looking craft was discovered standing in for Vera 
Cruz. The canvas was crowded upon the Somers, her 
officers being determined not to be found remiss in their 
duty, and all haste was made to intercept the strange 
vessel. In the effort to avoid the reef de Pajordas, on 
her lee, she was ' overtaken by the norther. At the 
first gust she was thrown upon her beam-ends. She 
careened over rapidly, and in half an hour was in- 
gulfed beneath the angry billows, now howling and 
hissing with the fury of a Phlegethon. Acting Mas- 

* After being transfeired from one place of confinement to another, 
and encountering the severest hardsliips, Midshipman Rodgers succeeded 
in making his escape in the fall of 18 17, from the city of Mexico, where 
he was then detained, and took part with the beleaguering army under 
Generr.l Scott in its capture, serving as a volunteer in the staff of Gen- 
eral P low. While a prisoner he obtained much important informa- 
tion, which was communicated, at different times, to the American 
office s. 



CAPTURE OF LAGUNA. 205 

ter Clemson and Passed Midshipman Hynson, with 
nearly one half of the crew, which consisted of eighty 
persons, were carried down with the vessel, and found a 
watery grave on that stranger shore, " uncoffined and 
unaneled." The remaining officers and men were 
picked up by the John Adams, and the small boats 
gallantly sent out from the British, French, and Span- 
ish ships of war anchored in view of the wreck, or 
succeeded in reaching the shore, where they were taken 
prisoners by the Mexicans. 

On the 20th of December, Commodore Perry, with 
the Mississippi, Vixen, Bonita, and Petrel, took posses- 
sion of Laguna, in Yucatan, and destroyed the guns 
and munitions of war found in the fort and town. 
Commander Sands was left in charge with the Vixen 
and Petrel. Soon after this occurrence, the vessels 
belonging to the squadron, which could be spared from 
enforcing the blockade, were ordered to rendezvous at 
Veia Cruz, to assist the army in its reduction. 



CHAPTER VII. 

BUENA VISTA. 

General Scott ordered to Mexico — Expedition to Vera Cruz — With- 
drawal of Troops from the Army under General Taylor — Surprise of 
Arkansas and Kentucky Cavalry at Encarnacion — Advance of Santa 
Anna from San Luis Potosi — The Pass of Angostura — Buena Vista 
— Position of the American Troops — Approach of the Enemy — The 
Battle — Bravery of the Volunteers — Skirmish near Saltillo — Disas- 
trous retreat of the Mexican Army — Attack on the Wagon Trains — 
Pursuit of Urrea. 

On the 1st day of January, 1847, and within the 
short space of eight months from the commencement 
of hostilities, the provinces of New Mexico, CaUfornia, 
Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, New Leon, and Tamau- 
lipas, embracing more than one half of the geograph- 
ical area of the Mexican Republic, were either vir- 
tually conquered, or in the actual possesion of the 
American forces. The different military operations 
thus far conducted, had been executed with unexampled 
skill and ability, and attended with the most satisfactory 
results. The territory occupied by the army under 
General Taylor, could not, indeed, have been regarded 
of much value as a permanent acquisition, if conquest 
had been the object of the war ; but in a military 
point of view, the campaign on the Rio Grande was 
as important as it was successful. Every thing had 
been achieved which was to be desired. On three 
separate occasions the armies of Mexico had been de- 



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NORTHERN PROVINCES OF MEXICO. 207 

feated. No superiority of numbers, or advantages of 
position, could stay the advance of the American sol- 
diers. The power, the military strength and resources 
of the enemy, were essentially weakened ; and it mat- 
tered little upon what theatre this had been effected, 
vv'hether upon a barren shore or a sandy desert, so long 
as her capacity for resistance was diminished. A large 
army, it is true, was soon collected at San Luis Potosi, 
but the disheartening influences of defeat were felt 
even there. Rumor asserted that the victorious Amer- 
icans were moving towards the interior ; parties of 
observation were thrown forward, and preparations for 
defence were made ; yet many doubted their ability to 
maintain the position.* 

A descent upon the Gulf coast of Mexico had long 
been in contemplation at the War Department of the 
United States ; but the prevalence of the vomito dur- 
ing the summer months forbade any such enterprise. 
Had the climate and season been more favorable, it is 
not likely that this would have been undertaken at the 
commencement of the war, notwithstanding the im- 
portance of the movement in order to the conquest of 
a speedy and honorable peace ; because hopes were 
entertained, that the northern and frontier departments 
of Mexico would declare themselves independent of the 
central government, and establish pacific relations with 
the American Union. General Taylor was led to be- 
lieve that such would be the case, from the information 



• " You may imagine how we are situated here with respect to the 
approach of the invaders. * * • * Who can teli what will be our 
fate 1 — yet we have 25,000 men more or less, 52 pieces of artillery, 24- 
pounders, and below, in excellent condition, an incredible quantity of 
powder, and ball of every cahbre." — Letter of correspondent of El Lo- 
comotor, (Vera Cruz,) dated at San Luis, 14th November, 1846. 



208 SCOTT ORDERED TO THE SEAT OF WAR. 

derived through his agents.* It was certainly no 
chimerical supposition. The northern provinces were 
known to be ardently attached to the federal constitu- 
tion ; and when Paredes came into power, there were 
strong symptoms manifested of a desire to resist his 
authority. They would naturally have turned to the 
American army for support, and it is reasonable to sup- 
pose, that the fear of losing a large portion of territory 
south and west of the Rio Grande, might have con- 
strained the Mexican Government to listen to over- 
tures of peace. But before the war had fairly com- 
menced, the project for the re-establishment of the 
federal constitution, and the return of Santa Anna, 
was started by the opponents of Paredes, and his sub- 
sequent overthrow put an end to the expectations 
which had been formed in regard to the secession of 
the northern provinces. 

The suggestions of General Taylor in favor of main- 
taining a defensive position on the line of the Sierra 
Madre, and the information communicated by him, 
showing that a march on San Luis Potosi from Sal- 
tillo would be attended with serious difficulty and em- 
barrassment, and that the Santa Barbara pass, open- 
ing towards Tampico, and that in the direction of 
Tula, were both impracticable for artillery, led to an 
abandonment of the movement designed to be made 
upon San Luis Potosi, from the north ; and in Novem- 
ber 1846, General Scott was ordered to repair to the 
Rio Grande, for the purpose of setting on foot and 
conducting an expedition against Vera Cruz and the 
castle of San Juan de Ulua. Previous to this time 
much valuable information had been procured in re- 

* Letter of General Taylor to the Adjutant General, September 6, 
1845. 



EXPEDITION AGAINST VERA CRUZ. 209 

lation to the defences of the city and castle, and Gen- 
eral Scott had been actively and constantly employed 
for several weeks in making the necessary preparations. 
Heavy ordnance, large quantities of missiles and ammu- 
nition, transport vessels, bomb-ketches, and surf-boats 
to land the troops, were ordered to be prepared, and 
dispatched to the Gulf without delay. A corps of sap- 
pers and miners, and mountain howitzer and rocket 
batteries, were also organized to take part in the ex- 
pedition, and accompany the army on its march to the 
Mexican capital. 

It was originally intended that the attack on Vera 
Cruz should be made in co-operation with the navy, 
by a detachment from General Taylor's army of four 
or five thousand men, under the command of General 
Patterson.* After the dispatch of the 2nd of Sep- 
tember, intimating an intention to make a descent on 
the Gulf coast, at Tampico, was intercepted by the 
enemy, it became evident that a much larger force 
would be necessary. Tampico was occupied, how- 
ever, as has been stated, in order to mask the more 
important enterprise in contemplation. 

General Scott had made an unsuccessful application 
to the President of the United States, to be ordered to 
the s'^at of war, in the month of September ; but, in 
consequence of the prior misunderstandi.'ig, his request 
was denied. t At a later day this determination was 

* House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, (pp. 84; 88), 2nd Session, 29th 
Congress. 

■)• Allusion has been heretofore made to this controversy (ante, p. 94). 
It appears to have been mainly of a personal character, and one reflect- 
ing little credit or honor on those concerned, though proving, very con- 
clusively, that our military and civil officers, no matter hov? high their 
station, are not exempt from the passions and prejudices which some- 
times afQict those who move in a liumbler sphere. For the particulars 



210 PROPRIETY OF THE ORDER. 

wisely reconsidered, and in accordance with the gen- 
eral expectation of the country, he was directed to 
take the field. To him, more than to any other man, 
was the army indebted for its high state of discipline, 
its usefulness and efficiency ; and it was due to his past 
services, and his talents, that he should be allowed to 
participate in the active operations of the war. If the 
laurels won at Chippewa and Niagara could be re- 
freshed and reinvigorated by the cool breezes that 
swept over the terra templada of Mexico, — if there 
were new victories to be gained that could give ad- 
ditional lustre to the undying fame which formed one 
of the richest jewels of the nation, — it was but just 
that the opportunity should be given. Large rein- 
forcements were about to be sent to Mexico, and the 
occasion seemed most favorable for directing the gen- 
eral-in-chief of the army to assume the command, 
since it could be done at such a time without prejudice 
to the officer who had hitherto so skilfully directed its 
movements.* There was a peculiar fitness, too, in as- 
sigmng General Scott to conduct the expedition against 
Vera Cruz, because the merit of planning the move- 

of the difference, see Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 1845-6, pp. 
650, et seq. ; House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, 2nd session, 29th Con- 
gress; Senate Document, No. 1, 1st session, 30th Congress; and the 
correspondence bet-veen General Scott and the War Department com- 
municated to the Ho\ise of Representatives, March 20th and April 26lh, 
1848. 

* General Taylor exptcted that General Scott would be ordered to 
Mexico, and did not appear in the least disappointed when informed 
that this had been done. Indeed, it does not seem strange that this 
should be the case. At the commencement of the war there were a 
number of officers in the army »iperior in rank to General Taylor ; but 
within a very few weeks after that time he stood second only to Gen- 
eral Scott. 



INCREASE OF THE ARMY. 211 

ment was his own, and his experience, sagacity, and 
skill, were requisite to insure its success.* 

The order directing General Scott to repair to Mex- 
ico, and clothing him with discretionary power in re- 
.gard to the future conduct of hostilities, was issued on 
the 23rd, of November, and on the 24th he left Wash- 
ington for New York, where he embarked for New 
Orleans.f Before leaving the capital, the necessary 
preliminary arrangements had been made for the ex- 
pedition. Nine additional volunteer regiments, includ- 
ing one of Texan horse, were called for ; and at the 
ensuing session of Congress, bills were introduced, and 
passed, authorizing ten new regiments of regular troops 
to be raised, and the increase of the artillery regiments 
and marine corps, — and providing for the appointment 
of two major generals, and three brigadier generals, 
and the encouragement of enlistment, by large boun- 
ties. The general officers, the ten regiments, and the 
addition to the marine corps, were to be continued in 
service only during the existence of the war. J 

* Projects of General Scott laid before the Secretary of War, Octo- 
ber 27th, 1846, and November 12th, 16th, and 21st, of the same year. 

f " The President, several days since, communicated in person to you 
his orders to repair to Mexico, to take the command of the forces there 
assembled, and particularly to organize and set on foot an expedition to 
operate on the Gulf coast, if, on arriving at the theatre of action, you 
shall deem it to be practicable. It is not proposed to control your oper- 
ations by definite and positive instructions, but you are left to prosecute 
them as your judgment, under a full view of all the circumstances, shall 
dictate." — Extract from the letter of the Secretary of War to General 
Scott, dated November 2lst, 1846. 

t The ten regiment bill did not become a law until the 11th of Feb- 
ruary, 1847, partly in consequence of the attempt made to create the 
office of lieutenant general heretofore alluded to. (Ante, p. 95, note.) 
By the terms of the act, the President was authorized to equip one of 
the infantry regiments as voltigeurs, which was done.' Under the 
law authorizing the selection of additional general officers, Gideon 



212 LETTER TO GENERAL TAYLOR. 

While in New York, General Scott addressed a let- 
ter to General Taylor, informing him that he was about 
to embark for the seat of war ; that he designed to 
undertake an expedition in a different quarter of the 
enemy's country ; and that he should be compelled, 
though reluctantly, to take from him the greater part 
of the troops under his command.* He reached New 
Orleans near the close of December, and early in Jan- 
uary following he was upon the Rio Grande. Instruc- 
tions with reference to his plans, and the number, and 
character of the men whom he wished to be pre- 
pared for the expedition, were sent to General Taylor, 
by different messengers. Lieutenant Ritchie, one of 

J. Pillow and John A. Quitman, brigadier generals of volunteers, were 
appointed major generals ; and Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire, 
George Cadwalader of Pennsylvania, and Enos D. Hopping of New 
York, were appointed brigadier generals. Thomas H. Benton of Mis- 
souri, and William Gumming of Georgia, were originally appointed 
the major generals, but did not accept. The vacancies occasioned in 
the volunteer service, by the promotion of Generals Pillow and Quitman, 
were filled by the appointment of Caleb Gushing of Massachusetts, and 
Sterling Price of Missouri. 

* " I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede you in the imme- 
diate command on the line of operations rendered illustrious by you and 
your gallant army. My proposed theatre is different. You may imag- 
ine it ; and I wish very much that it were prudent, at this distance, to 
tell you all that I expect to attempt and hope to execute. * * * But, 
my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from you most of the gallant 
officers and men, (regulars and volunteers,) whom you have so long 
and so nobly commanded. I am afraid that I shall, by imperious ne- 
cessity — the approach of yellow fever on the Gulf coast — reduce you, 
for a time, to stand on the defensive. This will be infinitely painful to 
you, and for that reason, distressing to me. But I rely upon your pa- 
triotism to submit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerfulness. No man 
can better afford to do so. Recent victories place you on the high emi- 
nence ; and I even flatter myself that any benefit that may -esult to me, 
personally, from the unequal division of troops alluded to, will lessen 
the pain of your consequent inactivity.'' — Letter of General Scott to 
General Taylor, November 25th, 1846. 



TROOPS IN THE FIELD. 2l3 

the beaiers of dispatches, was on his way to seek the 
latter, when he was attacked, between Linares and 
Victoria, by a party of rancheros, and cruelly murdered. 
The papers in his possession fell into the hands of the 
enemy, and the fact that an expedition against Vera 
Cruz was projected could no longer be concealed. 

When the arrangements for the expedition against 
Vera Cruz were made at Washington, preparatory 
to the departure of General Scott, it was not supposed 
that General Taylor would deem it advisable to ad- 
vance beyond Monterey, or occupy the lower part of 
the State of Tamaulipas.* It was intended that he 
should remain upon the defensive until additional troops 
could be sent out from the United States. The im- 
portance of the position at Saltillo was not correctly 
understood at the War Department, and hence it was 
not taken into account in the calculations which had 
been made. General Taylor might have occupied and 
held the city of Monterey with a much smaller force 
than was left under his control ; but he wisely decided 
to keep possession of Saltillo, as being a still more 
commanding position, and completely covering the 
single road practicable for artillery, which was the only 
formidable arm of the Mexican service, to the valley 
of the Rio Grande. Monterey was well situated 
for defence ; but if the enemy could advance to that 
point, the communication with his principal depots 
would be more likely to be cut off, and their protection 
attended with more danger and difficulty. 

The whole number of troops upon the Rio Grande, 
and en route for the Gulf, including the new volunteer 
regiments, was not far from 20,000. General Scott 

* House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 119, (pp. 84, 89, 108) Snd Session, 29th 
ConOTess. • * 



214 DIVISION OF THE FORCES. 

required 12,000 of these for the expedition against 
Vera Cruz. Besides the volunteers embarked from the 
United States for the island of Lobos, the appointed 
place of rendezvous, nearly all the regular troops under 
Generals Twiggs and Worth, and the greater part of 
the volunteer division of General Patterson, were or- 
dered to the same point. It was with great reluc- 
tance that General Taylor parted with the veteran 
troops whom he had so long commanded ;* but the en- 
terprise which General Scott was about to attempt, 
was of primary importance. It was necessary that 
Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulua should 
be reduced, if at all, before the return of the sickly 
season ; and if that could only be done by an assault, 
the regular regiments would be especially needed. 
Moreover, it was to be apprehended that Santa Anna 
might move his army from San Luis Potosi, in the 
direction of Vera Cruz, after receiving the informa- 
tion contained in the dispatches borne by Lieutenant 
Ritchie. Had he done this, the column under General 
Scott would probably have been decimated ere they 
could have effected a landing on the Mexican shore. 
Undoubtedly it wOuld have been a wiser policy to have 
called out a larger number of volunteers in the sum- 
mer or fall of 1846 ; but the error was one very likely 
to be committed in a country like ours. It was too 
late to correct it when General Scott arrived upon the 
Rio Grande ; he had no dragon's teeth, from which 
armed soldiers might be raised at his bidding ; and a 

• Letters of General Taylor to tlie Adjutant General, January 15th 
and 27th, 1847. General Taylor did not anticipate that he would be 
required to part with more than four or five thousand of the troops un- 
der his command (Doc. 1 19, p. 94) ; but very magnanimously made the 
sacrifice when the exigencies of the service required it. 



SURPRISE AT ENCARNACION. 215 

delay, even of a few weeks, could not be permitted. 
About six hundred regulars, including two squadrons 
of dragoons, and four of the finest artillery companies 
in the army, with the best disciplined regiments of 
volunteers, which had been drilled by General Wool, 
or under the eye of General Taylor himself, were left 
upon the line of the Sierra Madre.* In view of the 
loss of life which afterwards occurred, it may be re- 
gretted that the army under General Taylor was neces- 
sarily so much reduced ; but he knew of what mate- 
rials it was composed, and did not rashly expose 
himself to peril. His force was small, but it proved 
sufficient ; and had it not been for the defection of one 
of his regiments, the repulse at Buena Vista would 
have been the complete rout of the Mexican army. 

After giving the necessary instructions to the troops 
ordered to join General Scott, General Taylor returned 
to Monterey. During his absence General Wool had 
remained encamped with his division at Agua Nueva, 
until General Worth left Saltillo, when he took posi- 
tion on the heights above and to the south of the city, 
with a portion of his command, and distributed the re- 
mainder through the valley. General Minon was 
known to be in the vicinity with his lancers, and 
scouting parties were constantly kept out to obtain in- 
formation. On the 22nd of January a party of over 
seventy men, consisting of Arkansas and Kentucky 
cavalry, commanded by Majors Borland and Gaines, 
were surprised at the hacienda of Encarnacion, forty- 
eight miles beyond Saltillo, by General Miiion. Re- 
sistance against so formidable a force would have been 

* Generals Patterson, Twiggs, Worth, Pillow, Quitman and Shields, 
accompanied General Scott, and Generals Butler, Wool, Marshall and 
Lane remained with General Taylor. 



S16 ADVANCE TO AGUA NUEVA. 

idle, and they surrendered themselves prisoners of war 
Captain Henrie of the Texan Rangers was with the 
detachment, but gallantly made his escape on the 
second day after their capture. On the 27th of Jan- 
uary, a picket guard of seventeen men of the Ken- 
tucky volunteers, under Captain Heady, were also 
captured by the enemy. The advanced pickets were 
repeatedly driven in, and it was confidently rumored, 
that the main body of the Mexican forces under Santa 
Anna were marching to attack the American army. 

Leaving a force of fifteen hundred men to garrison 
the city of Monterey, General Taylor proceeded to 
Saltillo, early in February. While General Worth 
was in command at this point, a strong redoubt com- 
manding the town and the plain in which it is situated, 
had been constructed by General Lane's Indiana bri- 
gade, under the direction of Lieutenant Kingsbury of 
the ordnance corps. Captain Webster occupied the 
redoubt with two twenty-four pounder howitzers, and 
several pieces of smaller calibre ; and Major Warren, 
of the 1st Illinois foot, was directed to guard the town 
with four companies of the Illinois volunteers, two of 
each regiment. On the 8th of February the remain- 
der of the army, about 5,000 strong, moved forward 
under General Taylor to Agua Nueva, where he could 
have the advantage of a large plain to drill his troops, 
and hold in observation the road from San Luis Potosi, 
and the difl^erent passes leading to Parras, Monclova, 
and Saltillo. 

The road from Saltillo to Agua Nueva pursues a 
south-westerly course, through an irregular and broken 
valley, varying from two to three miles in width, and 
bounded on either side by the tall mountain ridges of 



BUENA VISTA. 217 

the Sierra Madre. About five miles south of Saltillo 
is the hacienda of Buena Vista,* and a short distance 
beyond this the flanking nriountains incline nearer to 
each other, and form the pass of Angostura. The at- 
tention of General Taylor was called to this position 
by General Wool, as being one which a small army 
could easily maintain against a larger force. Notwith- 
standing its advantages, the former decided to proceed 
to Agua Nueva, as he had at first intended, and if Santa 
Anna approached with his army, to fall back to the 
ground which he saw at a glance was well adapted to 
the limited numbers of his command. By this means 
he would be enabled to practise a ruse upon the enemy, 
and lead them to attack him in a position of his own 
selection, and which he felt fully competent to hold. 
This determination was strengthened on his arrival at 
Agua Nueva, which he found to be a more exposed 
position, and one that could be readily turned on either 
flank. Information having been received that the 
Mexican forces were concentrating in his front, Gen- 
eral Taylor ordered Major McCuIloch, with a party 
of Texan spies, to reconnoitre the San Luis road. 
The detachment left Agua Nueva on the 16th of Feb- 
ruary, and about midnight encountered a small body 
of the enemy's cavalry, whom they drove towards En- 
carnacion, and then returned to camp. On the 20th 
instant a strong reconnaissance was dispatched to the 
hacienda of Heclionda, under Lieutenant Colonel May, 
and Major McCulloch made another examination of 
Encarnacion. The reports of these officers ren- 
dered it certain that Santa Anna, instead of marching 
with the forces which he had concentrated at San Luis 
Potosi, to meet General Scott at Vera Cruz, had con- 
♦ Beautiful view. 

10 ' 



218 THE AMERICAN ARMY RETIRE. 

eluded to take advantage of the withdrawal of such a 
large number of troops from the line commanded by 
General Taylor, and by one decisive blow endeavor 
to wipe out the ignominy of past reverses, and retrieve 
the waning fortunes of the Mexican Republic. 

At noon on the 21st, General Taylor broke up his 
camp at Agua Nueva, and retired leisurely towards 
the position in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista, 
which had previously been selected. Colonel Yell re- 
mained at Agua Nueva with his regiment of Arkansas 
cavalry, to look out for the enemy, and cover the re- 
moval of the public stores. The 2nd Kentucky foot 
under Colonel McKee, and a section of Captain Wash- 
ington's battery, halted at Encantada to support Col- 
onel Yell. The 1st Illinois foot under Colonel Hardin 
were stationed at the pass of Angostura, where it had 
been determined to give battle to the enemy. Gen- 
eral Taylor proceeded to Saltillo, accompanied by 
Lieutenant Colonel May, with his squadron of the 2nd 
dragoons, two batteries of the 3rd artillery, under Cap- 
tains Sherman and Bragg, and the Mississippi rifle 
regiment, under Colonel Davis. On the evening of the 
21st, the regiment of Kentucky cavalry under Colonel 
Marshall, and the squadron of the 1st dragoons. Cap- 
tain Steen, were ordered to Agua Nueva, to reinforce 
Colonel Yell. General Wool encamped near Buena 
Vista with the remaining section of Washington's 
battery, the 2nd Illinois foot. Colonel Bissell, and the 
2nd and 3rd Indiana regiments, commanded by Col- 
onels Bowles and J. H. Lane.* Before the removal 

* In addition to the forces above enumerated, General Taylor had 
under his command one company of Texan volunteers, and a spy com- 
pany commanded by Major McCuIIoch. The two Indiana regiments 
formed a brigade under the command of General Lane. 




COL. (MlARLKf^ A. MAY. 



DISAFFEtnON AT SAN LUIS. 219 

of the stores could be effected, Colonel Yell's pickets 
were driven in by the enemy, and, in obedience to 
his instructions, he retired with the reinforcements un- 
der Colonel Marshall, after destroying a small quan- 
tity of grain remaining at the hacienda, and leav- 
ing a few wagons which had been abandoned by 
the teamsters. At Encantada he was joined by the 
force under Colonel McKee, and they fell back to- 
gether to Buena Vista, before daylight on the morning 
of the 22nd. 

From the time of his arrival at San Luis Potosi, in 
October 1846, Santa Anna labored unceasingly in 
strengthening his fortifications at that point, and in 
equipping and instructing the men under his command. 
Political dissensions and differences, however, were 
not entirely healed. His approach to the city of Mex- 
ico, and his journey to take command of the army of 
the north, had been attended with all the pomp and 
parade, the glitter and show, the shouting and rejoic- 
ing, of a triumphal procession ; but much of this en- 
thusiasm was transient and unreal. The elements of 
discontent still existed. The Mexican Congress, which 
assembled in December, elected Santa Anna to the 
presidency, and made choice of Gomez Farias as vice 
president, upon whom the executive authority devolved 
during the absence of the former. The monarchists 
and centralists were opposed to this arrangement, and 
did not repress their complaints. Weeks and months 
rolled by ; no enemy appeared ; and the army remained 
inactive. The people became dissatisfied ; they ex- 
pected e^ ery thing from Santa Anna, and could not 
be disappointed. Murmurs were repeatedly heard ; 
and it was at length asserted that motives of personal 






220 THE ARMY UNDER SANTA ANNA. 

ambition detained him at San Luis Potosi.* He could 
hesitate no longer. His private credit was pledged for 
a joan of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, and 
the necessary supplies for twelve days procured for his 
army. On the 28th of January he commenced mov- 
ing forward with twenty pieces of artillery, and a force 
of about 20,000 men, exclusive of the cavalry detach- 
ments under Generals Minon and Urrea already thrown 
in the advance. f The march was long and tedious. 
The army was scantily supplied with food, water and 
clothing ; the weather was harsh and inclement ; and 
sickness and desertion fast thinned their numbers. 
Encouraged by the promise of their leader, that they 
would soon be supplied from the well-filled storehouses 
of the American army at Saltillo and Monterey, they 

* It is questionable whether the withdrawal of so large a number of 
troops from the line of the Sierra Madre, formed the controllinir reason 
for the advance of Santa Anna against General Taylor. Political con- 
siderations probably had far more influence. The army could have 
made the march to Vera Cruz, thougli a longer distance, wit!i far less 
inconvenience ; but he dared not lead them in the direction of the capi- 
tal. It was said that the presence of so large a force at San Luis, un- 
der his orders, was dangerous to the liberties of the country, and the 
march towards the Gulf, to meet General Scott, would have been the 
signal for a bloody revolution. 

f The accounts are very conflicting in relation to the strength of^the 
Mexican army. In his official report of the battle at Buena Vista, 
Santa Anna states that the force with which he left San Luis Potosi, 
including garrisons and detachments, amounted to 18,133, and that his 
artillery train consisted of seventeen pieces. Another statement makes 
the army amount to over 21,000, with twenty-two pieces. The general 
orders issued on the 28th of January, at San Luis, (Senate Exec. Doc. 
No. 1, 1st session, 29th Congress, p. 154,) and found on the battle 
ground at Buena Vista, show that there were twenty pieces of artillery. 
In his summons to General Taylor, the Mexican commander said the 
forces under his orders numbered 20,000, including, doubtless, the de- 
tachment under General Miuon, and perhaps that under Urrea ; but 
he was more likely to exaggerate his strength than the contrary. Gen- 



ADVANCE FROM ENCENADA. 221 

continued to advance in spite of the obstacles which 
were calculated to discourage them. 

The various detachments of the Mexican army were 
concentrated at San Fernando, and on the night of 
the 20th of February they encamped at Encenada. 
On the morning of the 21st mass was said in front of 
the different divisions, and at noon the whole column 
were again on the march; the brigade of light infantry 
under General Ampudia, accompanied by a body of 
lancers, leading the van ; the divisions of infantry, 
under General Lombardini, in the centre ; and the 
division of cavalry and infantry, under General Ortega, 
bringing up the rear. General Mifion wa,s ordered 
with his cavalry brigade to make a diversion in the rear 
of the American army, and occupy the hacienda of 
Buena Vista. The detachment under General Urrea 
at Tula had received instructions to advance from 
their position, and attack the American posts, and cut 
off their communications between Monterey and the 
Rio Grande. 

It had been the intention of Santa Anna, on learn 
ing the position of General Taylor, to place his forces 
between the American army and Saltillo, and compel 
them to fight him at this disadvantage. The retrograde 
movement to Buena Vista defeated his project. His 

eral Miiion's cavalry brigade was 1,200 strong ; General Urrea had an in- 
definite number of men, varying from two to three thousand ; General 
Vasquez remained at Matehuala with a brigade of infantry as a corps 
de reserve; and the main body under Santa Anna probably did not 
much exceed 17,000 men. The following general officers accompanied 
the arm) ; Alvarez, general-in-chief of cavalry ; Lombardini, com- 
mander-in-chief of the infantry ; Requena, general-in-chief of artillery; 
Mora y Viliamil, chief of the engineers ; Micheltorena, chief of the 
general staff; and Generals R. Vasquez, Torrejon, Ampudia, Andrade, 
Juvera, Quintaniar, Mifion, (detached,) Jaurequi, Conde, Pacheco, Gar- 
cia, Ortega, Mejia, Flores, Guzman, Mora, and Romero. 



222 THE FIELD OF BUENA VISTA. 

troops were elated, however, with the idea that the 
Americans were retreating before them, and he deter- 
mined to advance by the direct road to Saltillo. There 
were other passes through the mountains, by way of 
HecHonda on his right, and La Punta de Santa Elena 
on his left, by which he could have gained the Saltillo 
road in rear of Buena Vista ; but either of these routes 
would have required three or four days' march, and the 
state of his supplies forbade any further delay. He 
passed the night of the 21st with his main body, in the 
vicinity of Agua Nueva, and at early dawn on the 
following morning took up his line of march towards 
the pass of Angostura. 

The position selected by General Taylor for the re- 
ception of the enemy is nearly one mile in advance of 
the hacienda of Buena Vista. At this point the bases 
of the mountainous ridges are about two miles apart. 
The main road to Agua Nueva passes through a nar- 
row defile inclining to the west before it enters the 
gorge, and then turning to the east. Upon its right 
is a valley, or alluvial bottom, formed from the debris 
of the neighboring hills, with a small branch of the 
San Juan winding through it, and everywhere cut up 
by deep gullies, and yawning pits and chasms, washed 
out by the torrents plunging from the mountain sides 
during the rainy seasons, which render it impracticable 
for cavalry or artillery ; and further beyond, there is 
an intermediate range of hills, with a narrow pass in- 
tervening between them and the mountains. Upon 
the left the ground descends gradually from the he'ghts 
towards the road, forming an elevated plain of table 
land, free from timber, with the exception of a few 
shrubs and bushes, but intersected by a succession of 



APPROACH OF THE MEXICANS. 223 

ravines also worn by the mountain torrents. The 
ravines are of irregular formation, some extending to 
the very foot of the mountains, and others terminating 
midway in the plain. On the extreme left their banks 
are sloping, and can be passed without difficulty, but 
nearer the road they are more precipitous, and form a 
series of steep and rocky bluffs. In the rear of the 
principal plain, upon which the Hne of battle was 
formed, are similar plateaus, separated in like manner 
by ravines. 

On the night of the 21st, the 1st lUinois regiment 
threw up a parapet on a hill east of the gorge, and 
dug a small ditch, and made a parapet extending from 
the road around the brink of a deep gully on the 
right. In the morning a ditch and parapet were 
thrown across the road for the protection of a bat- 
tery of artillery, leaving a narrow passage next the 
bluff, which was closed by running in two wagons 
loaded with stone. At nine o'clock the enemy were 
discovered advancing over the distant hills, 

" Winding from cliff to cliff, in loose array." 

As they approached the American lines, their columns 
closed up together. Dense squadrons of horse, with 
glittering lances and gay pennons, formed the advance, 
and then came the long serried files of infantry, with 
artillery and cavalry intermingled ; column upon col- 
umn deploying in the valley, as if there were no end 
to the stream of warriors which threatened to over- 
whelm the feeble band before them. But though weak 
in numbers, the American soldiers were strong in their 
position, strong in the memory of past victories, strong 
in the prestige of their leader's name, and stronger 



224 SUMMONS TO SUURENDER. 

yet in the recollection that they were the countrymen 
— and this was the birlhda}' — of Washington ! 

In the absence of General Taylor, the line of battle 
was formed by General Wool. Captain Washington 
was posted in the road with his battery, with two 
companies of the 1st Illinois behind the breastwork 
on his right, and the 2nd Kentucky infantry, Colonel 
McKee. occupying a spur of the elevated ground in 
the rear. Colonel Hardin remained in position on the 
height, with six companies of his regiment, having the 
2nd Illinois, Colonel Bissell, and the company of Texan 
volunteers. Captain Connor, on his left. The Indiana 
brigade under General Lane, took position on a ridge 
in rear of the front line, and Captain Steen's squadron 
of Isl dragoons was held in reserve. The Kentucky 
and Arkansas regiments of cavalry, under Colonels 
Marshall and Yell, were stationed on the left of the 
second line. Soon afterwards the rifle companies of 
the volunteer cavalry were dismounted, and, with a 
battalion of riflemen from the Indiana brigade, under 
Major Gorman, sustained by the remaining companies 
of the Kentucky regiment, the whole commanded by 
Colonel Marshall, were ordered to take ground to the 
front and extreme left. When the commanding gen- 
eral arrived from Saltillo with the remainder of the 
/roops, the squadron of 2nd dragoons, Lieutenant Col- 
onel May, the light batteries of Captains Sherman and 
Bragg, and the Mississippi regiment, Colonel Davis, 
were held in reserve with the squadron under Captain 
Steen. At eleven o'clock General Taylor received a 
note from Santa Anna, informing him that he was 
surrounded by twenty thousand men, and requiring him 
to surrender if he wished to avoid being cut to pieces. 



SKIRMISHING IN THE MOUNTAINS. 225 

The reply was what might have been expected — a 
prompt and decided refusal.* 

At two o'clock the battalions of Mexican light in- 
fantry, under General Ampudia, commenced deploying 
to the right, evidently intending to outflank the Amer- 
icans and secure the heights overlooking the broad 
plateau east of the battery in the road, while a large 
howitzer opened its fire upon the left of the line. Gen- 
eral Lane moved forward with a section of Washing- 
ton's battery under Lieutenant O'Brien, and the 2nd 
Indiana regiment, on the left of the 2nd Illinois, to 
check the movement. A demonstration was also ob- 

* The correspondence between Santa Anna and General Taylor was 
remarkable for its boastful tone on the one hand, and its emphatic 
brevity on the other. It was as follows ; — 

Summons of Santa Anna. 

" You are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and cannot in any 
human probability avoid suffering a rout, and being cut to pieces with 
your troops ; but as you deserve consideration and particular esteem, I 
wish to save you from a catastrophe, and for that purpose give you this 
notice in order that you may surrender at discretion, under the assur- 
ance that you will be treated with the consideration belonging to the 
Mexican character, to which end you will be granted an hour's time to 
make up your mind, to commence from the moment when my flag of 
truce arrives in your camp. 

" With this view, I assure you of mj particular consideration. 

" God and Liberty. Camp at Encani"'da, February 22, 1847. 

" Anto, Lopez de Santa Anna. 

" To General Z. Taylor, ) 

Commanding the forces of the U. S." J 

Reply of General Taylor. 

" Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, ) 
Near Bueiia Vista, Feb. 22, 1847. J 

" Sir : — In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender 
my force at discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding to your 
request. With high respect, I an. sir, 

" Your obedient servant, Z. Taylor, 

"Major General, U. S. A. Comm'g. 
"Senor Gen. D. Anto. Lopez de Sant\ Anna, ) 
Commanding in chief, Encantada." \ 

10* 



226 THE DAY OF BATTLE. 

served on the other flank, and the 2nd Kentucky reg- 
iment, with a section of Bragg's battery and a detach- 
ment of mounted men, were ordered to take post on 
the right of the gulhes, and some distance in advance 
of the centre. 

Colonel Marshall had anticipated the effort to out- 
flank, and was prepared to meet the enemy. He had 
secured possession of one of the spurs running out 
from the mountains, and was preparing to occupy a 
still more commanding one in his front, when he was 
induced to fall back through some mistake in the 
delivery of an order from General Wool. When the 
enemy's light troops approached, a spirited conflict 
ensued, which was kept up for several hours. The 
American loss was trifling, but the fatal fire of their 
rifles filled the ravines and gorges with the dead and 
dying of their opponents. Numbers, however, pre- 
vailed against courage and determination. Before 
dark the Mexicans had occupied the sides, and scaled 
the summits of the Sierra Madre, and had thus out- 
flanked the American position. The recall was 
sounded, and Colonel Marshall returned with his com- 
mand to the plain. 

During the night of t\ e 22nd, the American troops 
bivouacked at their respective positions without fires, 
and lay on their arms. Long before daybreak on the 
following morning, they were aroused from their slum- 
bers to prepare for the coming contest. The day 
dawned beautifully. The sky was clear and cloudless. 
The sunlight streamed over the distant mountain tops, 
bathing hill and rock, ravire and plain, forest and 
chaparral, in a rich flood of golden radiance. The 
cool breeze that swept through the valley was wel- 
comed by many a feverish brow ; and it rested softly 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACTION. 227 

on many a manly cheek, glowing with hope and enthu- 
siasm, that was cold in death ere the shadows of even- 
ing stole along the western hills. There were throb- 
bing bosoms and anxious hearts in that little army ; 
but few among them all were faint in spirit, or dreaded 
the encounter. 

Apprehending that an attempt might be made on 
Saltillo by the detachment under General Minon, which 
had been visible all day in rear of the town, and that 
the force stationed there would be unable to resist it, 
General Taylor had returned in the evening of the 22nd, 
with the JMississippi regiment, and the squadron of the 
2nd dragoons, to make further preparations for its de- 
fence. Two companies of the Mississippi rifles under 
Captain Rogers, and one piece from Bragg's battery 
under Captain Shover, were left to protect the train 
and head-quarter camp. In the morning of the 23rd 
the general returned to the field with the remainder of 
the Mississippi regiment and the dragoons. Before he 
arrived upon the ground the battle had commenced. 

The action was opened on the extreme left of the 
American line, by the Mexican light troops, and the 
riflemen who had again moved up the mountains. 
Major Trail was soon after detached with three com- 
panies of the 2nd Illinois to the assistance of Colonel 
Marshall. The united command bravely maintained 
their ground against the superior force under General 
Ampudia, which attempted to drive them from their 
position. About eight o'clock Santa Anna put in mo- 
tion his main columns of attack ; the divisions of Lom- 
bardini and Pacheco, with a portion of the cavalry 
under Juvera, and a twelve-pounder battery, advan- 
cing on the left of the American line, in order to gain 
the elevated ground ; and a strong column of attack 



228 THE AMERICAN LEFT TURNED. 

under Mora y Villamil, with three pieces of artillery, 
moving along the road towards the centre. A battery 
of eight-pounders, consisting of eight pieces, was 
planted on the crest of a hill near the road where the 
different columns were formed for the attack, and Gen- 
eral Ortega remained in command of a strong reserve. 

The column advancing against the centre was 
checked in a few moments by a rapid fire from Wash- 
ington's battery, which opened wide gaps in the op- 
posing ranks. The enemy broke and retired. The 
lancers were interposed to prevent the retreat, and 
drive the infantry forward. But they could better 
meet the spear-points of their counti-ymen, than the 
scathing torrent that poured down that roadway. 
Retreating in confusion they joined the column mov- 
ing towards the American left. In this quarter the 
attack was more successful. The heavy Mexican bat- 
tery was pushed to the foot of the heights which the 
light troops had ascended, and their cavalry and in- 
fantry, advancing up the bed of a ravine in front of the 
American line, soon gained a position on the plateau. 

The battle now commenced in earnest. The 2nd 
Indiana sustained themselves for a short time without 
faltering, and Lieutenant O'Brien opened a vigorous 
fire which mowed down the enemy in scores. His 
guns were advanced. Once more the Mexican line 
began to waver, and the infantry were again driven 
forward by the lancers. A single bold and vigorous 
onset would have secured the victory. General Lane 
urged his men to stand firm — to push upon the enemy. 
But the fire was too terrible. The Indiana regiment 
reeled to and fro like a drunken man. They staggered 
back and retired from the field in confusion, at the 
moment when General Taylor arrived from Saltillo. 



THE INDIANA REGIMENT. 229 

Captain Lincoln, assistant adjutant-general in the staff 
of General Wool, lost his life in attempting to rally 
the fugitives. Major Dix, of the Pay Department, also 
dashed forward, and snatching the colors of the reg- 
iment, he called upon the men to stand by them to 
the last. General Lane, though severely wounded, 
exhorted and entreated them to follow him to victory 
or to death.* All efforts were in vain. A portion of 
them were rallied and joined the Mississippi regiment, 
doing good service throughout the day ; of the remain- 
der, some retired to the hacienda of Buena Vista, and 
others to Saltillo. 

The riflemen and cavalry under Colonel Marshall, 
being thus cut off from the centre, retreated in good 
order in the direction of Buena Vista. Lieutenant 
O'Brien maintained the ground with his guns, until all 
his cannoneers were killed or wounded ; but being de- 
prived of his support, he was forced to retire, leaving 
one of his pieces, the horses attached to which were 

* General Lane, was completely carried away with enthusiasm, and 
closed his eloquent and impassioned appeal to the retreating soldiers, by 
reminding them what a glorious thing it would be to have it said in 
history, that '• the icJwlc Indiana regiment were cut to pieces!" Posthu- 
mous fame seemed of little value at such a time, and his entreaties were 
lost upon them. He was too brave a soldier to offer an apology for their 
retreat; but in his official report there is one fact stated, which should 
never be forgotten when their conduct is called in question. He says : 
" The 2nd regiment of my command which o^^ened the ba' de on the 
plain, in such gallant style, deserves a passing remark. I shall attempt 
to make no apology for their retreat ; for it was their duty to stand or 
die to the last man until they received orders to retire ; but I desire to 
call your attention to one fact connected with this affair. They re- 
mained in their position, in line, receiving the fire of 3,000 or 4,000 in- 
fantry in front, exposed at the same time on the left flank to a most 
desperate raking fire from the enemy's battery, posted within point- 
blank shot, until they had deliberately discharged iicenty rounds of car- 
fridges at the enemy." 



230 THE MISSISSIPPI RIFLES. 

either killed or disabled, in the hands of the enemy. 
The 2nd Illinois at once became exposed to the en- 
filading fire of the heavy battery. Eight regiments of 
Mexican infantry came down upon them, and they 
were forced temporarily to take shelter behind the ra- 
vines. Sections of Sherman's battery, under Lieuten- 
ants Thomas and French, advanced to their assistance. 
The 2nd Kentucky regiment, and Captain Bragg's 
battery, had already been ordered from the right, 
and, in connection with the 1st and 2nd Illinois, and 
the sections of Sherman's battery, they drove back the 
enemy in handsome style, and regained possession of a 
portion of the plateau. The Mexican columns were 
compelled to hug the mountain more closely, and their 
immense hosts began to pour along its base to the rear 
of the American line. Here they were met by the 
Mississippi rifles, who came into action in double-quick 
time. As a column of the enemy's infantry, flanked 
by their cavalry, moved down the slopes towards the 
road. Colonel Davis hastened to meet them. His men 
were halted only when within range of their rifles, and 
were then ordered to " fire advancing." The front 
lines of the enemy fell before them. They too suffered 
severely, but they pressed boldly forward, crossing a 
deep ravine under a galling fire, until a body of cavalry 
attempted to gain their rear, when they retired slowly, 
and aftir dispersirg the lancers, formed again behind 
the ravine which they had first crossed. 

The enemy's battery had been constantly playing 
upon the front and centre, but its fire was now turned 
upon the position occupied by the Mississippi regiment. 
Lieutenant Kilburn, with one piece from Bragg's bat- 
tery, was ordered to this point, where a new line of 
battle, forming a crotchet perpendicular to the first 



REPULSE OF THE MEXICANS. 231 

line, was taken up. The 3rd Indiana regiment, under 
Colonel J. H. Lane, accompanied by General Lane, 
also advanced to redeem the character of the state to 
which they belonged. This was bravely done. Dar- 
ing and repeated efforts were made by the enemy 
against this portion of the line, but they were as often 
repulsed. At length a large body of cavalry debouched 
from their cover on the left of the position. The Mis- 
sissippi regiment immediately filed to the right and 
fronted across the plain, while the 3rd Indiana formed 
on the bank of a ravine, and in advance of the right 
flank of the Mississippians, by which a re-entering 
angle was presented to the enemy. The Mexican lan- 
cers came dashing onward, in close and beautiful order. 
Captain Sherman now arrived with two pieces from 
his battery. The American soldiers were firm and 
steady as experienced veterans, and when the enemy 
came within thirty yards, a broad sheet of flame flashed 
from the entire line. Whole masses of men and horses 
were seen to fall upon the plain. The enemy we/e 
instantly checked and thrown into confusion. Tlie 
Americans advanced, still pouring forth their withering 
volleys. Captain Bragg also brought his battery round 
to this position, and commenced raining deadly show- 
ers of grape upon the Mexicans, as they retreated for 
shelter to the gorges and ravines near the mountains. 
Lieutenant Rucker, at the head of the squadron of 1st 
dragoons, Captain Steen having been wounded when 
the left flank was turned, was ordered to move up a 
ravine and charge them. Before this was done, the 
order was countermanded, and he was directed to join 
Lieutenant Colonel May, who was advancing with his 
squadron of the 2nd dragoons, a squadron of Arkansas 
horse under Captain Pike, and Lieutenant Reynolds 



232 THE LANCERS ROUTED. 

with a section of Sherman's batteiy, to check the en- 
emy's cavalry, from the head of their column on the 
left, who were threatening a descent on the hacienda 
of Buena Vista, near which the train of supplies and 
baggage had been parked. 

Before Lieutenant Colonel May had reached the 
ground, Colonels Marshall and Yell had encountered 
the enemy with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry. 
The order to charge was given on both sides at the 
same instant. Like knights at the tourney they sprang 
forward to do their devoir. The squadrons met in the 
centre of the plain. They were interlocked ; lances 
and sabres were shivered ; and they gra[)pled each 
other in the death-embrace. The shock was dreadful ; 
Colonel Yell fell among the foremost ; but his fall was 
fearfully avenged.* The fight was of short duration. 
The rifle battalions under Majors Trail and Gorman, 
and a portion of the Indiana infantr}' which had re- 
treated, were formed under the direction of Major 
Munroe, chief of artillery, and Major Morrison of the 
volunteer staff. The enemy did not wait to meet this 
additional force. Their column divided ; one part re- 
treating to the mountains, and the other dashing through 
the hacienda, where they received a galling fire from 
the riflemen and infantry. Lieutenant Colonel May 
had at this moment come up, and aided with his com- 
mand in completing the rout of this portion of the 
lancers. 

The whole Mexican column which had turned the 

* The wounJs inflicted by the Mexican lancers were severe. Some 
of them seemed to take great dehght in torturing the wounded and the 
dying. The body of Adjutant Vauglin, of the Kentucky cavah-y, who 
fell in this charge, contained no less than fourteen wounds, more than 
one half of which were mortal. 



RUSE OF SANTA ANNA. 233 

American left were now in a critical position. On 
one flank the regular dragoons, the Kentucky and 
Arkansas cavalry, Lieutenant Reynolds' section of ar- 
tillery, and the ralHed men under Majors Trail and 
Gorman, and on the other the batteries of Sherman 
and Bragg, and the 3rd Indiana and Mississippi reg- 
iments, were advancing to complete their destruction. 
Behind them was the wall of mountains, and before 
them a band of determined men, firm as the hills whicii 
looked down upon their valor, whose messengers of 
death were sending so many of their number to their 
last account. They faced about to retrace their steps, 
exposing their right flank to the American fire, but 
caring only to reach some place of safety. Just as 
they commenced their retreat, a white flag was seen 
approaching from the Mexican head-quarters. Its 
bearer delivered a message from Santa Anna to Gen- 
eral Taylor, requesting to know what the latter wanted. 
General Wool was ordered to the enemy's lines, to de- 
mand the immediate surrender of the column cut ofT 
from the main body, and the American soldiers slack- 
ened their fire. 

General Wool soon learned that the Mexican com- 
mander had practised a ruse. He was unable to in- 
duce the enemy to stop the fire of their battery, and 
returned without having an interview with Santa Anna. 
The retreating column had in the meantime taken ad- 
vantage of the pause in the fire, and the configuration 
of the ground, and were no longer in immediate dan- 
ger. As they came opposite the American centre, the 
1st and 2nd Illinois, the 2nd Kentucky, and Lieuten- 
ant O'Brien with two guns from Washington's battery, 
moved forward to terminate the contest by a vigorous 
charge. The movement was unfortunate, and again 



234 LAST EFFORT OF THE ENEMY. 

the tide of battle turned. Resolved to make one 
more final and desperate struggle for the mastery, 
Santa Anna had already ordered up his reserves, and 
his batteries redoubled their fire. The reinforcements 
marched up the ravine in front of the original line of 
battle, as the Americans were advancing, and formed 
at the base of the mountains, in connection with the 
column which had retreated. Against so powerful an 
host that little phalanx could not have been expected 
to prevail. Borne down before this overwhelming 
array which came so unexpectedly upon them, the in- 
fantry retired down the smaller ravines to the road. 
The lancers followed close upon them, slaughtering in- 
discriminately those who lay helpless beneath their 
horses' hoofs, those who were willing to surrender, and 
those who died with a note of defiance on their lips. 
Colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant Colonel 
Clay, were among the slain. Lieutenant Colonel Clay 
was not mortally wounded, and his men endeavored 
to carry him from the ground. Seeing so many falling 
around him, he begged to be laid down upon the field, 
where he died fighting bravely to the last. A prompt 
fire from Washington's battery upon the lancers, as 
they attempted to follow the American infantry into 
the road, put an end to the pursuit. 

Meanwhile Lieutenant O'Brien had never ceased 
his fire. Two horses were shot under him, and a 
second time were all his cannoneers cut down. The 
enemy seemed goaded to desperation, and continued 
to press forward. Still he remained firmly by his guns, 
and never left them until the Mexicans were at their 
muzzles. Both pieces were captured and taken from 
the field. The crisis of the action had arrived. The 
centre of the American line was almost forced. But 




■Ill 




smstmimt 



THE DEFEAT. 235 

relief was nigh. Captain Bragg hurried forward with 
his battery at a gallop, and reached the plateau before 
all was lost. Without any infantry to support him he 
opened his fire within a few yards of the Mexican 
line.* General Taylor had also arrived upon this part 
of the field, which he saw must be maintained at any 
cost, and his presence served to animate the men. The 
enemy wavered, but recovered ; additional quantities 
of grape were forced into the American guns ; again 
the Mexicans staggered back, but they ralHed once 
more, like some giant in the last agony struggling with 
the destroyer death. At this time Sherman had 
brought his battery to bear upon them, and the 3rd 
Indiana and Mississippi regiments advanced upon their 
right flank. Neither man nor horse could stand before 
that iron torrent, which swept the plain as with the 
besom of destruction. Repulsed, routed, and in dis- 
order, they abandoned the contest. 

As soon as the action commenced at Buena Vista, 
in the morning of the 23rd, a demonstration was made 
on the redoubt and encampment at Saltillo, by the lan- 
cers under General Miilon. Major Warren had di- 
rected the streets to be barricaded, and three of his 
companies were thrown into the cathedral. Captain 
Webster opened upon the enemy with his twenty-four 
pounder howitzers, as soon as they came within range, 
and drove them beyond the reach of his shells, with 
the loss of several men and horses. They succeeded, 

♦ In reply to Captain Bragg's request to be furnished with a support- 
ing party, General Taylor, turning to the chiet'of his staff, said — " Major 
Bliss and I will support you !" and immediately galloped forward. When 
the enemy appeared inclined to persist in their advance, thg general 
gave his celebrated order- -"A little more grape, Captain Bragg!" — 
words which will long be remembered in connection with the events of 
that day. 



236 REMARKS ON THE RATTLE. 

however, in occupying the road south of the town, 
and picked up a number of fugitives from the principal 
field. Between two and three o'clock they began to 
move towards their former position, when Captain 
Shover advanced upon them at a gallop, with a six- 
pounder, in the open plain, and poured his shot into 
the flank of the column. A number of teamsters and 
fugitives from the battle-ground now joined him, and 
he pressed forward. The enemy retired behind a hill, 
and prepared to charge down upon him as he ascended 
it ; but by moving his piece to the right he gained a 
favorable position, and a single shot dispersed them. 
IMeanwhile Captain Webster had ordered Lieutenant 
Donaldson with one gun from the redoubt to the assist- 
ance of Captain Shover. Both pieces were brought to 
bear upon the retiring column, when they broke, and 
fled up the base of the mountain to their encampment. 
In the morning they were seen retiring tlirough the 
Palames pass, and did not make their appearance again 
on the Saltillo plain. 

The battle of Buena Vista does not require words of 
commendation. The facts are of themselves eloquent. 
The pass of Angostura, the plain upon which the bravery 
of those volunteers, many of whom had never before 
been in action, was tested, and the hills which flank 
it, will be a perpetual monument. Less than five 
thousand men, not five hundred of whom were reg- 
ulars, with fourteen pieces of artillery, maintained their 
position, though the ravines around them streamed 
with their blood, from early dawn until set of sun.* 
Sometimes the day seemed almost lost, and General 

* General Taylor's total strength, exclusive of the force at Saltillo, 
was 4,759. The regulars engaged, deducting the general staff, num- 
bered only 476. Most of his guns were of small calibre. 



KILLED AND WOUNDED. 237 

Taylor was advised by several of his officers to retire 
to a new position. This could never have been done 
with volunteers. There was but one alternative : 
they must fight where they stood, or surrender. Had 
they been regulars, there would have been more una- 
nimity in their efforts ; but it may have been fortunate 
that they were otherwise. Many of them looked upon 
the contest as a personal matter, and being unable to 
appreciate the disadvantages which an experienced 
soldier would have instantly remarked, so long as they 
were whole and unharmed, there was no immediate 
danger. The Mexican troops were wearied and hun- 
gry, and in some degree dispirited ; yet they literally 
fought for their bread, and this, too, with the ferocity 
of wolves, and an energy bordering upon despair. 

The loss sustained by the American army on this 
occasion was dreadfully severe. Seven hundred and 
twenty-three, nearly one-sixth of the whole number 
engaged, were either killed or wounded, and there 
were twenty-three missing. The Mexican loss was 
between fifteen hundred and two thousand.* The 
American officers were not behind their men in the 
exhibition of zeal and bravery. There were three 
hundred and thirty-four in the battle, sixty-nine of 
whom, more than one-fifth, were killed or wounded.f 

* Santa Anna, in his official report, represents his loss to have been 
1,500. The number of prisoners taken by the Americans was 294. Gen- 
eral Lomhardini was severely wounded. 

t There were twenty-eight officers killed in the battle, viz. ; Captain 
Lincoln, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenants Moore and McNulty, 
Mississippi rifles ; Colonel Hardin, Captain Zabriskie, and Lieutenant 
Houghton,. 1st Illinois; Captain Woodward, Lieutenants Rountree, 
Fletcher, Ferguson, Robbins, Kelley, Steele, Bartleson, Atherton, and 
Price, 2nd Illinois ; Lieutenants Campbell and Leonhard, Texas volun- 
teers ; Captains Kinder and Walker, and Lieutenant Parr, 2nd Indi- 



238 KETREAT OF THE MEXICANS. 

Generals Taylor and Wool were often exposed dur- 
ing the day to the severest fire. Colonel Whiting, as- 
sistant quartermaster-general, Colonels Churchill and 
Belknap, inspectors-general, Major Mansfield of the 
engineers, Major Munroe, chief of artillery, Major 
Bliss, assistant adjutant-general, and Captain Eaton, 
and Lieutenants Garnett and McDowell, aids-de-camp, 
were conspicuous for their gallantry. 

It was late in the afternoon of the 23rd, when Santa 
Anna finally withdrew his men from the field. The 
American line had been turned in the morning, but 
the ground then lost was now entirely recovered. 
Night once more fell upon that valley ; wood could 
not be procured, and again the soldiers bivouacked at 
their posts without fires, though the mercury stood be- 
low the freezing point. They expected that the con- 
test would be renewed in the morning, but they were 
ready for the attack. The wounded were removed to 
Saltillo. Seven fresh companies were drawn from the 
town, and General Marshall was rapidly coming up 
with a reinforcement of Kentucky cavalry, and four 
heavy guns under Captain Prentiss, of the 1st artillery, 
having made a forced march from the pass of Rinco- 
nada, on the road to Monterey. When the morning 
light broke in upon the American soldiers, their eyes 
were turned towards the Mexican encampment. The 
enemy were no longer to be seen ; they had vanished 
in the darkness. It was soon ascertained that Santa 
Anna had fallen back to Agua Nueva. No pursuit 
was ordered by General Taylor, as his men had not 

ana ; Captain Taggart, 3rd Indiana ; Colonel McKee, Lieutenant 
Colonel Clay, and Captain Willis, 2nd Kentucky; Colonel Yell and 
Captain Porter, Arkansas cavalry ; and Adjutant Vaughn, 1st Ken- 
tucky cavalry. 



GENERAL UEREA. 239 

yet recovered from their weariness and exhaustion. 
An exchange of prisoners was negotiated on the 24th, 
and completed on the following day. On the 26th the 
Mexican army commenced a disastrous retreat, leav- 
ing large numbers of their wounded to be cared for by 
General Taylor's army. The Americans resumed their 
position at Agua Nueva on the 27th of February. 
Colonel Belknap was dispatched with a command to 
Encarnacion, on the 1st of March, and found the road- 
side strewed with the dead and dying of the discom- 
fited host hurrying onward to San Luis Potosi, with a 
dark cloud of vultures hovering constantly on their 
track.* 

While the American and Mexican armies were con- 
tending on the field of Buena Vista, General Urrea 
and his cavalry made their appearance in the valley 
of the San Juan. They arrived before Marin at noon 
on the 23rd of February, and threatened an attack upon 
the force at that place, which consisted of three com- 
panies of the 2nd Ohio infantry under Lieutenant Col- 
onel Irvin. Information was immediately sent to Mon- 
terey that the post was in danger, and Colonel Ormsby, 
of the Louisville Legion, then in command in that 

* The capture of three pieces of artillery, and a few company mark- 
ing-flags, were the only trophies borne from the field by Santa Anna ; 
but these were pointed to as affording conclusive evidence that the vic- 
tory had been won by the Mexican army. General Taylor was not 
moved from his original position ; yet the Mexican commander declared 
that he would have done this if his army had not been almost destitute 
of food and water. A few more such victories might have caused Gen- 
eral Taylor to repeat the lamentation of Pyrrhus, but Santa Anna 
never could have entered Saltillo except as a prisoner of war. There 
was food in plenty behind the American lines, and why did he not take 
it 1 He knew he lacked the power, and hence his retreat, to which he 
applied the milder term of" countermarch," was ordered. 



240 ATTACK ON A WAGON TEAIN. 

town,* promptly dispatched Major Shepherd with three 
companies and two pieces of artillery, to the relief of 
Lieutenant Colonel Irvin. The advance guard of 
Major Shepherd encountered the enemy on the road, 
and a slight skirmish took place. The pieces were 
discharged upon the right and left, and a volley of 
musketry fired into the chaparral, when the detach- 
ment moved forward without interruption, and reached 
Marin in the mornins: of the 25th. Several skirmishes 
had already taken place, but the enemy retired on the 
arrival of the reinforcement. 

Meanwhile Colonel Morgan, of the 2nd Ohio volun- 
teers, was advancing with eight companies of his reg- 
iment, about two hundred men, from Serai vo. He 
had received instructions from General Taylor on the 
23rd, to concentrate his regiment at that point, and 
march to Monterey forthwith. He left Seralvo in the 
morning of the 24th, and in the evening was met by 
a courier, who informed him that a most atrocious act 
of barbarity had just been committed by a portion of 
the force commanded by General Urrea ; that a wagon- 
train under the escort of Lieutenant Barbour, with 
forty men, had been surrounded near Ramos ; and 
that the soldiers had been killed or taken prisoners, 
and the wagoners butchered. He proceeded on his 
march during the night, and at two o'clock in the 
afternoon of the 25th reached the scene of the disaster, 
where he found the bodies of between forty and fifty 
of the wagoners horribly mutilated, some of them harv- 

* General Butler had returned to the United States, under the ad- 
vice of his physicians, on account of his wound received at the storm- 
ing of '^'' 'nterey, from which he did not recover for a long time. Most 
of the balls used by the Mexicans were of copper, and very poisonous 
in their effect, especially in that warm climate. 



SKIRMISH NEAR AGUA FEIO. 241 

m^ been staked to the ground and cut to pieces, the 
wagons burning, and several of the dead bodies con- 
suming in the flames. The march was continued to 
Marin, which was found nearly deserted, Lieutenant 
Colonel Irvin having proceeded towards Monterey 
upon the arrival of Major Shepherd. At eleven o'clock 
at night on the 25th the camp-fires of the enemy were 
seen in the distance, and in an hour Colonel Morgan 
was again upon the road. On the morning of the 26th, 
when within a mile and a half of Agua Frio, his flank- 
ers reported the enemy to be in force in the chaparral 
on either side of the road. Forming his men in a 
square he resumed his march, after driving back a 
small body of Mexicans who made their appearance 
on his flanks. A short distance beyond Agua Frio the 
enemy again appeared, full eight hundred strong ; and 
a constant firing was kept up until the detachment ap- 
proached San Francisco. Clouds of lancers hovered 
around, threatening to sweep down upon the small 
force and overthrow them in an instant. Lieutenant 
Stevens was now dispatched to overtake Lieutenant 
Colonel Irvin. Dashing through the enemy who oc- 
cupied the chaparral flanking both sides of the road, 
he came up with him at Walnut Springs. The latter 
at once returned, with one hundred and fifty men and 
two field-pieces, and joined his regiment in a few hours, 
dislodging a body of the enemy from their ambush as 
he advanced in front. In the meantime Colonel Mor- 
gan had repulsed a vigorous charge made upon his 
front and flanks, and on being joined by the reinforce- 
ment he ordered an attack. An animated action took 
place, which continued for a few minutes, when the 
enemy retreated in confusion, having lost upwards of 
fifty men in killed and wounded. The American loss 

11 



942 TRAIN UNDER MAJOR GIDDINGS. 

was five killed, among whom was Captain Graham, 
assistant quartermaster, and one wounded. The de- 
tachment was not molested again on the route to 
Monterey. 

On the 5th of March, Major Giddings, of the 1st 
Ohio regiment, with a mixed command of two hundred 
and sixty men, and two pieces of artillery, escorting a 
large wagon-train, and Major Coffee and Lieutenant 
Crittenden, bearers of dispatches, left Monterey for 
Camargo. On the 7th, he was attacked by the Mex- 
ican lancers and rancheros under Generals Urrea and 
Romero, who completely surrounded his command. 
The wagon-train was ordered to be parked in the 
centre, as well as it could be done considering its ex- 
tent. One company was posted in the rear with a 
single piece of artillery, and the remainder of the force, 
with the other gun, were in front. The enemy suc- 
ceeded in breaking through the train ; a number 
of the drivers deserted their teams ; and the fright- 
ened mules sprang from the road into the chaparral. 
Forty wagons were captured by the Mexicans and 
burned.*' A warm fire was kept up from the front ; 
but the rear-guard was in extreme danger. A parley 
was sounded, and a surrender demanded. This was 
not to be entertained a single moment. Captain Brad- 
ley cut his way through to the rear with eighty men, 
and the whole train was soon re-united. The enemy 
could make no further impression, and withdrew to- 
wards Seralvo. Early on the 8th, Major Giddings 
entered the towm, and found that the Mexicans had 

* One of the wagons burned contained a large quantity of ammuni- 
tion which exploded, and killed or wounded ten of the enemy. After 
that lime they were more careful how they attempted to make a bonfire 
of such combustible materials. 



INDEMNITY REQUIRED. 243 

evacuated it in the night. Here he awaited the arri- 
val of Colonel Curtis, who had left Camargo several 
days previous with 1200 men, in order to obtain a new 
supply of ammunition. Colonel Curtis reached Seralvo 
on the 12th, and Major Giddings resumed his march, 
arriving at Camargo on the 15th. 

Colonel Curtis continued on his way to Monterey, 
attempting in vain to come up with the enemy, until 
the 18th instant, when he was met near Marin by Gen- 
eral Taylor, with Lieutenant Colonel May's dragoons 
and Bragg's artillery, also in pursuit of Urrea. The 
general had left Agua Nueva, General Wool remaining 
in command of the forces in that quarter, as soon as 
he heard of the outrages which had been committed. 
The pursuit was continued by the united force, but 
Urrea eluded them by retiring beyond the mountains. 
General Taylor returned to Monterey, and on the 31st 
of March issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of 
Tamaulipas, New Leon and Coahuila, reminding them 
of the manner in which the war had so far been con- 
ducted on his part, and of the respect paid to their 
persons and property so long as they remained neu- 
tral ; but, inasmuch as many of them had been con- 
cerned in the destruction of the wagon-trains, and the 
pillage of their contents, he demanded an indemnifica- 
tion to be forthwith made — each district, or juzgado,^ 
being required to pay its due proportion. The assess- 
ments were made, and payment enforced. No further 
outrages of this character were committed, and Gen- 
eral Taylor again established his head-quarters at Wal- 
nut Springs, leaving General Wool still in command at 
Saltillo and its vicinity. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



SAN JUAN DE ULUA. 



The Island of Lobos — Rendezvous of American Forces — Offer to nego- 
tiate — Vera Cruz — Castle of San Juan de Ulua — Landing of the 

. Troops under General Scott — Skirmishing — Line of Investment — 
Bombardment — Effect of the Fire — Affair at the Pucnte del Midois — 
Dragoon fight at Madellin — Capitulation of the City and Castle — 
Capture of Alvarado — Advance of the Army into the Interior — Open- 
ing of the Mexican Ports. 

The island of Lobos is one of the gems of the " Blue 
Gulf." It is a sweet little spot, barely two miles in 
circumference, and formed entirely of coral. The 
Mexican coast is about twelve miles from its western 
shore ; Tampico sixty-five miles to the north-west, and 
Vera Cruz twice that distance in the opposite direction. 
It is covered with choice tropical fruits and plants, 
with trees and shrubs of every variety. There are 
lemons and figs, banyan and palm-trees — the latter 
rarely exceeding twenty-five feet in height. Many of 
the banyans are completely thatched over with ever- 
green vines, and form most agreeable arbors, through 
which the sunlight falls, softly and silently, like flakes 
of snow, and the cool sea breeze finds its way, bear- 
ing health, and life, and strength upon its wings. 

During the month of February, 1847, the various 
detachments of troops arrived, which had been ordered 
to rendezvous at Lobos, preparatory to making the 
descent upon the main land ; General Patterson having 



k'^Wr 




GENL. WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Commander in Chief, United States Anny. 



EENDEZVOU3 AT L.0B03. 245 

marched with his division from Victoria to Tampico, 
at which point he embarked; Generals Scott and 
Worth saihng from the Brazos ; and the remainder of 
the forces proceeding directly from the United States 
to the island. One of the steamers, the Ondiaka, em- 
ployed in transporting the troops, and having on board 
a regiment of Louisiana volunteers, under the com- 
mand of Colonel De Russey, was driven ashore in a 
gale and wrecked, between Lobos and Tampico. Soon 
after reaching the land, they encountered a large body 
of Mexicans commanded by General Cos. The reg- 
iment were without arms ; yet Colonel De Russey in- 
stantly formed them in battle array, as if to receive the 
enemy. They were summoned to surrender immedi- 
ately ; but an answer was delayed until evening, when 
camp-fires were lighted, and preparations apparently 
made to pass the night. The Mexicans were deceived 
by these appearances, and the American troops took 
advantag;e of the darkness and drew off in silence. 
By making a rapid march they reached Tampico with- 
out again meeting the enemy. 

Many of the supplies necessary for the army had 
not arrived at the close of the month ; but the soldiers 
were now in fine spirits, and, as it was already getting 
late in the season, General Scott decided not to post- 
pone the expedition. Fishing and turtle-hunting were 
at once suspended, the troops were embarked, and the 
transports got under way. In the afternoon of the 
5th of March the whole fleet came bearing down to- 
wards Anton Lizardo before a violent norther, dark- 
ening the horizon with their clouds of canvas, and soon 
filling the bay with a dense forest of masts and spars. 
It was designed that the attack on Vera Cruz and the 
castle should be made by the army and navy in co- 



246 PROPOSITION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS. 

operation with each other ; and on the 7th instant, 
a reconnaissance of the coast above and below the 
city, was made by General Scott and Commodore 
Conner, in the steamer Petrita. From the informa- 
tion obtained on this occasion, and that acquired from 
time to time by the naval officers employed in that 
station, it was thought best to effect a landing on the 
beach south of Vera Cruz, and due west of the island 
of Sacrificios. 

While General Scott was on his way to the seat of 
war, and preparations were being made for the expedi- 
tion against Vera Cruz, a third, and more specific prop- 
osition, was made to the Mexican government for the 
conclusion of a peace. On the 18th of January, 1847, 
Mr. Buchanan forwarded a dispatch to the minister 
of foreign relations, by the hands of one Mr. Atocha, 
whose diplomatic abilities do not appear to have been 
of the very highest order, in which it was proposed 
that a commissioner, or commissioners, should be ap- 
pointed, to meet at Havana or Jalapa, clothed with full 
powers to conclude a treaty of peace. In the absence 
of Santa Anna, then advancing to meet General Tay- 
lor, the vice-president, Gomez Farias, signified his 
readiness to concur in the appointment of commission- 
ers, but required as a preliminary condition, that the 
blockade should be raised, and that the American in- 
vading forces should evacuate the territory of Mexico; 
or, in other words, that all the advantages which had 
been gained should be sacrificed, and the American 
government once more trust solely to that faith which 
the experience of more than twenty years had shown 
to be as brittle as a rope of sand. It is almost un- 
necessary to say, that the President of the United 
States regarded these conditions as being wholly inad- 



CITY OF VERA CRUZ. 247 

missible. The Mexican government was informed of 
his decision, in a dispatch from the Department of State, 
on the 15th of April. It was also stated, that the offer 
to negotiate would not again be renewed, until a more 
pacificatory spirit was manifested by the Mexican au- 
thorities ; yet, in order that an opportunity to make 
peace might at all times be afforded, the chief clerk in 
the State Department, Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, would be 
sent to the head-quarters of the army forthwith, as a 
commissioner invested with full powers to conclude a 
treaty.* 

Before this diplomatic correspondence was finally 
closed, the army under General Scott had carried the 
victorious standard of the American Union far into 
the interior of Mexico. 

Vera CRuzf has long been celebrated, both for its 
commercial importance, and its commanding position 
at the terminus, on the Gulf, of the great national road 
leading from the city of Mexico to the sea-coast. It 
is situated on the exact spot where Hernando Cortes 
and his brave Spaniards landed, on the 21st of April, 
1519. The name of Chalchiuheuecan was then given 
to it ; but no permanent colony was established there 
at that time. The city was founded near the close of 
the sixteenth century, while the Marquis of Monterey 
was governor of Mexico, and received a charter of in- 
corporation in 1615. The location has always been 
an unhealthy one, as is the case with most of the towns 
situated in the tierra caliente, or low ground bordering 
upon the Gulf. The climate is moist, and its natural 
warmth is increased by the reflection from the sandy 

• Senate Exec. Doc. No. I (pp. 36, et. seq.), 1st Session, 30th Con- 
gress, 
t The True Cross. 



248 SAN JUAN DE UI.UA. 

plains in ths vicinity. The quality of the water is 
bad ; the atmosphere poisoned by noxious exhalations 
from numerous ponds and marshes ; and the air full of 
insects, the most annoying and conspicuous of which 
is the tancudo, a species of mosquito. From October 
to April, during which time the north winds prevail, 
the situation is comparatively healthy. The city is 
small, its population scarcely exceeding seven thousand 
in 1844; but it is laid out neatly and regularly. The 
streets are wide, straight, and well paved. The houses 
are built of the Muscara stone, taken from the sea-beach ; 
they are mostly two stories high, and very neat in their 
appearance. The churches and public buildings are 
large and fine structures. On the east the walls of the 
town are laved by the waters of the Gulf, and on the 
opposite side there is a dry sandy plain, bounded, be- 
yond cannon range, by innumerable hills of loose sand, 
from twenty to two hundred and fifty feet in height, 
which are separated by almost impassable forests of 
chaparral. 

The city is surrounded by a wall of stone and mortar, 
which is not very thick, but has strong towers or forts 
at irregular intervals. The two most important towers 
are the Santiago and the Conception, which flank that 
portion of the wall looking towards the Gulf, and are 
twelve hundred and seventy Castilian varas, or yards, 
distant from each other. But the chief feature of the 
defences of Vera Cruz is the farnods Castle of San 
Juan de Ulua,* the reduction of which was the 

• Juan de Grijalva landed on the small island upon which the castle 
is built, in 1518. There was then a small temple erected on it, in which 
human victims were sacrificed to the Azlec deities. The Spaniards un- 
derstood these sacrifices to be made in accordance with the commands of 
the kings of Acolhua, one of the provinces of the empire ; and the term 
Ulua is an abbreviation, or corruption, of the former name. 



ITS DEFENCES. 249 

great object of the expedition under General Scott. 
Its construction was commenced as far back as the 
year 1582, upon a bar or small island in front of the 
town, at the distance of one thousand and sixty-two 
yards from the main land. Near forty millions of dol- 
lars have been expended upon the work. It is entirely 
surrounded by water. The exterior polygon, facing 
Vera Cruz, is three hundred yards in length, and that 
commanding the north channel is not far from two 
hundred yards. There are several strong bastions, and 
the castle is supported by water-batteries at the angles 
of the city, which double the fire on both the north 
and south channels. The walls of the fortress are from 
twelve to fifteen feet thick, and constructer'. of Mad- 
repora Astrsa, a species of soft coral procured in the 
neighboring islands, but faced with hard stone. The 
casemates are impervious to shot, and the magazines 
are all bomb-proof There are also seven large cis- 
terns, containing over ninety-three thousand cubic feet 
of water. Three hundred and seventy pieces of artil- 
lery would be a full equipment for the castle, and it 
would then require a garrison of twenty-five hundred 
' men ; but that number of guns have never yet been 
mounted. In the year 1844, there were one hundred 
and five cannon, of various calibre, in the castle, 
twenty-oue mortars, and eight obuses ; and, in the 
city, ninety-nine cannon and seven mortars.* When 

• Part of the guns in the castle were of very heavy calibre. Among 
them were ten Bi-pounders, ten G4's, and ten 15, 8 and 12-pounders, 
(all Paixhan guns); thirty-seven brass, and twenty-five iron 24-pound- 
ers ; and six 18-inch, and eight 14-inch mortars. Besides being sacked 
by the pirates under Lorencillo in 1G83, the city of Vera Cruz has ex- 
perienced many of the reverses of war. It was besieged and carried 
by the revolutionists in 1821 ; and in the following year was besieged 
by the Spanish troops. From September 1823 to November 1825, it 

11* 



SSO ARMAMENT AND GARRISON. 

General Scott landed with his army, there were be- 
tween two hundred and fifty and three hundred can- 
non in the city and castle. The latter was garrisoned 
by near two thousand men, and in the former there 
was from three to five thousand. As at Monterey, 
many of the streets in the city were barricaded, and 
the houses and walls pierced for musketry. The offi- 
cer in command of the town and castle was Juan Mo- 
rales, governor and commanding-general of the state 
of Vera Cruz. 

The debarkation of the troops was fixed for the 9th 
of March. The surf-boats were launched, and care- 
fully numi-ered; and early in the morning of the ap- 
pointed day, most of the troops were transferred from 
the transports to the vessels of war, to avoid crowding 
the contracted anchorage between Sacrificios and the 
main land with too many sail. At eleven o'clock the 

was three times bombarded by the Spanish, then occupying the castle 
of San Juan. In the latter year the castle itself was captured by the 
Mexicans, and the city enjoyed a season of repose. It was again be- 
sieged by the ministerial troops in 1832. In 1838 both the castle and 
town were blockaded and taken by the French ; whose vessels, how- 
ever, were allowed to take their position undisturbed. After this last 
attack, extensive improvements were made in the fortifications of the 
city, and in the castle itself During the summer of 1846, it was gen- 
erally supposed that the squadron under Commodore Conner would at- 
tempt the capture of San Juan de Ulua ; but it appears, from the letter 
of instructions of the Secretary of the Navy, dated May I3th, that the 
naval force in the Gulf was not thought to be strong enough to make 
the effort. It is stated in a letter written by an officer in the American 
army, that the Mexican commander of the castle sent word to Commo- 
dore Conner, that he might bring his fleet up and lire " until there was 
not a shot in the locker, and he would promise him not to return a gun 
until he was done." The castle was very strong, without doubt, and 
the Mexicans were confident. of their ability to hold it ; but they would 
have found it a difficult task to resist the skill and bravery of the army 
and navy of the United States, although its reduction was effected 
without putting them to the test. 



# 



LANDING OF THE AMERICAN TROOPS. 251 

squadron was in motion, and at three in the afternoon 
it was abreast of Sacrificios. Every thing appeared to 
favor the movement. There was nothing hke confu- 
sion or disorder. The soldiers knew they were about 
to land in an enemy's country, but it was a moment 
for which many of them had long panted. The scene 
was full of interest and animation. The inspiring 
strains of martial music broke cheerily on the ear. 
The bay was crowded with vessels, filled with armed 
men, whose bright muskets and bayonets flashed in the 
sunlight. The stars and stripes fluttered everywhere 
in the breeze. In the distance were the officers and 
crews of the foreign vessels attentively watching the 
proceedings. Every fore-top and spar was crowded 
with anxious spectators. It was a bright, clear day, 
and the air was soft and balmy ; the sea was scarcely 
ruffled by the mild breeze that came in gentle pufl^s 
from the south-east, — and the yellow haze of the ap- 
proaching evening rested, like the mantle of a spirit, 
upon its broad bosom, rising and falling with the long 
majestic swells which rolled towards the shore ; or it 
lingered around the tall spires and ancient battlements 
of Vera Cruz, and the gloomy fortress of San Juan, 
with its guns piled tier upon tier, frowning defiance to 
the invaders. 

The landing commenced instantly after the arrival 
of the squadron. The surf-boats, sixty-five in number, 
which had been towed astern of the larger vessels, 
were brought alongside to receive the troops, and the 
steamers Spitfire and Vixen, with five gun-boats, 
formed a line parallel with the beach, and within good 
grape range, to cover the descent. The small boats 
were manned by sailors from the squadron, and each 
one placed in charge of a naval officer. The first line 



252 NO OPPOSITION OFFERED. 

ordered to disembark, was commanded by General 
Worth, and consisted of 4,500 men, fully armed and 
accoutred, and ready to encounter the enemy if the 
landing was opposed. As soon as the boats had re- 
ceived their respective complements, they formed in a 
line, abreast, between the gun-boats and the large ves- 
sels. A gun was then- fired from the Massachusetts, 
as the signal to "give way." The hardy seamen bent 
to their task ; every muscle was strained ; the tough 
oars quivered ; the waters parted ; and, like so many 
frightened gulls, they darted towards the land. As the 
keels grated on the beach, the men sprang overboard, 
shouting and cheering as they rushed through the water, 
in their haste to reach the shore. In a moment the 
American flag was unfurled, and greeted with long and 
loud hurrahs. Their comrades remaining on board 
the vessels, — soldiers and sailors, men and ofRcers, — 
echoed back the shout, and the bands of music com- 
pleted the salute with the glorious notes of '"'the Star 
Spangled Banner." 

On the approach of the American squadron and 
transports. Governor Morales issued a proclamation 
abounding in expressions of patriotism ; but no attempt 
was made to oppose the landing of the troops. The 
beach upon which the disembarkation took place was 
overlooked by high hills, and a few pieces of artillery, 
advantageously posted, would have done fearful execu- 
tion among the invading forces. No attempt was made 
to oppose them, however, — the Mexican commander, 
like the ostrich, which fancies itself secure when its 
head is hid in the sand, deeming himself perfectly safe 
while he was surrounded and protected by stone walls, 
garnished with cannon, and bristling with bayonets. 
Before sunset General Worth had formed his men on 



FIRE FROM THE CITY AND CASTLE. 253 

the shore in line of battle, as a precautionary measure 
in case they should be molested. The remainder of 
the troops were landed by the surf-boats, in successive 
trips, and at ten o'clock in the evening,, the whole 
army, with the exception of a few straggling compa- 
nies, consisting of between ten and eleven thousand 
men, had reached the shore in safety, without the 
slightest accident — a result unsurpassed and unparal- 
leled in the history of war.* 

Great credit is due to Commodore Conner, who was 
in his small boat personally superintending the move- 
ment, and to the officers and seamen under his com- 
mand, for the skilful and successful manner in which 
the disembarkation was effected; and to General Scott 
and his officers belongs the merit of ably seconding 
the efforts to put them and their soldiers upon the 
shore, and of making every preparation to gain a foot- 
hold, and maintain it, in spite of opposition. 

At daylight in the morning of the 10th, a rapid 
fire of shot and shells was opened from the city and 
castle upon the position occupied by the American 
army. A small detachment, under Captain Gordon, 
was sent out to reconnoitre, and encountered a body 
of the enemy, whom they compelled to retire towards 
the town. At sunrise, the steamer Spitfire, Com- 
mander Tatnall, moved up, and continued to fire into 
the city and castle for nearly an hour. General Scott 

* The French expedition against Algiers, in 1830, is said to have 
been " the most complete armament in every respect that ever left Eu- 
rope." Ample provision was made in means and facilities for landing 
the troops, and the disembarkation took place in a wide bay. General 
Scott landed with his army upon an open beach directly on the ocean. 
No resistance was offered in either case; but the French succeeded in 
landing only nine thousand men on the first day, and that with the loss 
of between thirty and forty lives. 



S54 SKIRMISHING. 

landed early in the morning, and at his request the 
marines of the squadron, organized into a detach- 
ment under Captain Edson, were sent ashore, and 
temporarily attached to the 3rd artillery. During the 
day another transport arrived, and the total strength 
of the army was thus augmented to more than 11,000 
men. The regulars were divided into two brigades, 
commanded by Generals Worth and Twiggs, and the 
volunteer division of General Patterson into three bri- 
gades, under the command of Generals Pillow, Quit- 
man and Shields. 

Before landing, General Scott had rendered himself 
familiar with the topography of the cauntry in the 
neighborhood of Vera Cruz, and the necessary orders 
had been issued for taking up the line of investment. 
General Worth's brigade advanced up the beach on 
the morning of the 10th instant, and occupied the 
ground designated for his command, on the right of the 
line, and within range of the heavy guns of the castle. 
Parties of Mexican infantry and cavalry appeared in 
the distance, but were dispersed by the mountain how- 
itzers and light batteries. General Patterson then 
moved forward with his division, for the purpose of 
forming on the left of General Worth. The move- 
ment required considerable labor, and was attended 
with numerous difRculties. Roads were cut through 
the thick chaparral, and the men were obliged to drag 
the cannon over the hills, half blinded by the whirling 
sand, and exposed to the shot from the enemy's fortifi- 
cations, which occasionally came whistling over their 
heads. The brigade of General Pillow, in the advance, 
had several skirmishes with bodies of Mexicans found 
posted in the chaparral, who were driven off with loss. 
A party of the enemy were also discovered in the 



INVESTMENT COMPLETED. 255 

magazine, a large and strong stone building in rear of 
the city. Captain Taylor was ordered up with one 
piece of his battery, and opened his fire, when the 
Mexicans immediately deserted the building. General 
Pillow pushed through the chaparral with the 1st Ten- 
nessee regiment, and took possession. At night the 
brigade reached its position, and on the following day 
Generals Quitman and Shields formed their brigades 
on the left. In the morning of the 11th, a smart skir- 
mish took place with a body of Mexican infantry and 
lancers, who were supported by a brisk cannonade 
from the city. Captain Davis, of the Georgia regi- 
ment, was thrown forward with a party of riflemen to 
bring on an engao-ement, and sustained himself hand- 
somely until reinforced by two companies of his regi- 
ment under Colonel Jackson, and a portion of the 
South Carolina regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Dickinson, when the enemy were repulsed and forced 
to take shelter beneath the guns of the town. 

General Twiggs was ordered to take post on the ex- 
treme left with his brigade, and commenced his march 
in the morning of the 11th ; the progress of his column 
was interrupted by impediments similar to those which 
had disturbed the march of the volunteer division ; but 
the difficulties in his way were no sooner met than 
they were overcome. His advance guard, consisting 
of a squadron of the mounted riflemen under Major 
Sumner, 2nd dragoons, repeatedly came up with par- 
ties of the enemy, who were routed in an instant. The 
head of the column arrived at the hamlet of Vergara, 
on the beach north of Vera Cruz, about noon on the 
13th instant, and the work of investment was then 
fully completed. On the same day safeguards were 
sent by General Scott to the foreign consuls in the 



256 OPENING OF THE TRENCHES. 

city, for the protection of themselves, their • families» 
and their property. The toils were now set. A cor- 
don of soldiers, whose encampment extended in a mag- 
nificent semicircle, from shore to shore, girt the city 
upon the one side, and upon the other was the broad 
ocean occupied by a numerous fleet, well manned, and 
sufficient to prevent all ingress in that quarter. To 
break the chain was impossible ; and to avoid being 
crushed by its contracting folds was shown in the se- 
quel to be equally vain. 

The line of investment occupied a distance of about 
seven miles, with an interval of from two and a half to 
three miles between it and the city, and throughout its 
whole extent was within range of the enemy's heavy 
artillery, which kept up an unremitting fire by day and 
night, though with little or no effect. But very few of 
the carts and draught horses ordered for the expedition 
had at this time arrived on the coast, and an incalcula- 
ble amount of labor was necessarily performed by the 
troops, in hauling their cannon and supplies by hand, 
over the sand-hills and through the thickets of chapar- 
ral. As soon as they were well established in their 
positions on the line of investment, detachments were 
sent out from each brigade to clear its front, includ- 
ing the sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties. This was 
quickly accomplished. The Mexican outposts and skir- 
mishers were all driven in, and reconnaissances made 
of the intervening ground. At midnight on the 18th 
instant, the trenches were opened by the sappers and 
miners, within eight hundred yards of the city, and bat- 
teries were constructed for the reception of the heavy 
guns and mortars, under the supervision and direction 
of Colonel Totten, Major Smith, Captains Lee and San- 



THE CITY SUMMONED. 257 

ders, and the other able and efficient officers of the 
corps of engineers. 

A succession of severe northers* delayed the land- 
ing of the mortars and guns for several days, and it 
was not until the afternoon of the 22nd that three bat- 
teries were completed, and seven mortars placed in 
position. General Scott then summoned the city to 
surrender ; offijring to stipulate — for the reason that 
the heavy guns, and more than one half of the mortars 
intended for the expedition had not then arrived, and 
he was in no situation to threaten the castle — that he 
would not fire from the town upon the latter, unless 
he should be first attacked by the garrison. Governor 
Morales chose to consider both the city and castle 
embraced in the summons, and peremptorily refused 
to surrender. 

Orders were now given to open the fire upon the 
city, and the commanders of the foreign vessels in the 
harbor were officially notified by Commodore Perry,t 
that all intercourse with the shore must for the present 
cease. The intelligence of the glorious victory at 
Buena Vista had just been received, and the American 
soldiers and sailors were full of zeal and enthusiasm. 
The plans and arrangements of General Scott had 
beep adopted with caution, but they were settled with 
mathematical precision, and he was ready to carry 

* These mimic Siroccos often interrupted the progress of the work- 
men in the trenches. Their eyes were nearly blinded with the sand, 
and the ditches filled up as fast as they could be opened. 

t Commodore Perry relieved Commodore Conner in the command of 
the home squadron on the 21st of March. Several vessels of war, in 
addition to those already in the Gulf, had been ordered to reinforce the 
squadron, and arrived before and during the siege. Among them were 
the Ohio, 74 guns ; Potomac, 44 guns ; Saratoga, Albany and German- 
town, 20 guns each ; and the Decatur, 16 guns. 



258 THE BOMBARDMENT. 

them into effect with that rapidity of execution which 
has ever characterized his military operations. There 
were engineer, ordnance, and artillery officers, unex- 
celled in the world for skill and ability, to execute his 
orders, and to dictate was to perform. The command 
of the trenches was assigned to Colonel Bankhead, 
chief of artillery, and, at a few minutes past four 
o'clock in the afternoon of the 22nd, the bombardment 
was commenced by batteries numbers 1, 2, and 3, un- 
der the charge, respectively, of Captain Brooks and 
Lieutenant Shackelford, 2nd artillery, and Major Vin- 
ton, 3rd artillery. The flotilla of small steamers and 
gun-boats, led by Commander Tatnall in the Spit- 
fire, were also directed to take a position between 
Sacrificios and the main land, and commence a simul- 
taneous fire upon the town. In the meantime the en- 
emy's guns were not silent. A vigorous cannonade 
was opened upon the trenches and the flotilla, from the 
city and castle, which was as warmly, and far more 
eflfectively returned. The toppling walls and blazing 
roofs marked where 

" The booming shot and flaming shell" 

had fallen ; and when the night came on, it was illu- 
minated by the red glare which flashed up unceasingly 
from trench and battery. Burning meteors darted 
hither and thither athwart the sky, and when they dis- 
appeared, the surrounding darkness was thrown into 
yet deeper gloom. Late in the evening the flotilla 
suspended its fire, but during the live-long night the 
missiles hurled from the American lines described their 
fiery circles through the air, and sped away on their 
errand of death, into that doomed city. 

In the morning of the 23rd the land batteries wtve 



EFFECT OF THE FIRE. 259 

placed in charge of Captain McKenzie, 2nd artillerj', 
and Captains Anderson and Taylor, 3rd artillery. 
Three additional mortars were placed in battery, and 
the bombardment was kept up without cessation during 
the day. The flotilla again opened its fire, and Com- 
mander Tatnall ventured still nearer to the town and 
castle ; but about nine o'clock all the vessels were re- 
, called by signal, from a position which, as General 
Scott remarked in his dispatch, had been " too daringly 
assumed." But the officers and men of the navy were 
determined to participate in the conflict. At the ear- 
nest request of Commodore Perry, General Scott as- 
signed a position in the trenches, to be mounted with 
guns from the squadron, and worked by seamen. A 
strong battery, number 5, was constructed by the en- 
gineers in the rear of a thick mass of chaparral, and 
three eight-inch Paixhan guns, and three long thirty- 
two pounders, were landed, and dragged four miles 
through the sand by the sailors, assisted by fatigue par- 
ties from the brigades of Generals Worth and Pillow. 
At ten o'clock in the morning of the 24th the pieces 
were in position ; the chaparral was cut away ; and 
torrents of shot and shell were hurled into the town, 
tearing and crushing every thing in their range.* 

Within the city the effect of the American fire was 
terrible and destructive in the extreme. The earth 
shook at every discharge. Broad sheets of flame ap- 
peared to leap forth from the batteries of the assailants. 
Smoking ruins, crashing roofs and buildings, attested 
the severity of the bombardment. The firm pave- 
ments were thrown up in masses, and deep ridges 
ploughed in the streets. The iron gratings of the bal- 

* The naval battery was commanded, in succession, by Captains 
Aulick, Mayo, and Breese. 



260 MEMORIAL OF FOREIGN CONSULS. 

conies were torn from their fastenings, and casements 
and lattices shivered in pieces. Stone walls and bar- 
ricades afforded no shelter. Wailing and lamentation 
were heard in every quarter of the town. Fathers 
were stricken down upon their own thresholds, and 
mothers smitten at the fireside, as they leaned over the 
helpless offspring who clung to them, in vain, for pro- 
tection. Stout manhood and decrepit age, the weak 
and the strong, fell dead together. Late on the night 
of the 24th the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, 
and Prussia, united in a memorial to General Scott, 
praying him to grant a truce to enable the neutrals, 
and the Mexican women and children, to escape from 
the scene of havoc around them. All this suffering 
had been foreseen by the American commander; the 
inhabitants had been forewarned ; and the blockade had 
been left open up to the latest hour, to allow the neu- 
trals to withdraw. The opportunity offered had not 
been improved, and he informed the memorialists, in 
reply, that no terms could now be listened to, unless 
they were to be accompanied by an unconditional 
surrender. 

The Americans suspended their fire but for brief 
periods. The guns in the city and castle were also in 
constant activity, though they did little execution. A 
few shot entered the embrasures of the batteries, and 
threw clouds of sand into the trenches and over the 
men serving the pieces ; but the casualties were very 
few in number. On the morning of the 25th, battery 
number 4 was in readiness, with four twenty-four 
pounders and two eight-inch howitzers, and its deep- 
toned thunder was soon added to the din. 

During the siege, parties of Mexican rancheros 
and light troops were frequently seen lurking in the 



AFFAIR AT PUENTE DEL MIDOIS. 261 

rear of the American lines, to entrap the incautious 
and unwary. In the afternoon of the 24th, Colonel 
P. F. Smith, of the mounted rifles, was sent out with a 
detachment of about two hundred men, to support a 
reconnoitering party under Lieutenant Roberts, who 
reported that a body of the enemy were on the heights 
near the Puente del Midois, a handsome stone struc- 
ture thrown across a small stream of fresh water run- 
ning into the river Antigua. On approaching the 
bridge it was discovered to be barricaded with abattis, 
and that intrenchments had been thrown up on the 
heights. An attack was instantly ordered. Lieuten- 
ant Roberts displayed in the chaparral on the right 
with his company, crossed the stream below the bridge, 
and having reached the enemy's left, drove them with 
great spirit from their position. Captain Pope sec- 
onded the movement with two companies on the other 
flank, and the whole detachment were almost imme- 
diately engaged in the pursuit, which was continued 
for nearly a mile. At sunset they returned to the 
camp, having killed and wounded a large number of 
the enemy, with the loss of but four men w^ounded. 

On the 25th instant, Colonel Harney proceeded with 
a squadron of dragoons commanded by Major Sumner, 
and fifty dismounted men under Captain Ker, towards 
the Madellin river, in consequence of a report that a 
mounted force was collected in that direction. On ar- 
riving near the Puente de Marino, he found it to be 
regularly fortified, and guarded by near two thousand 
men, with two pieces of artillery. Small parties of 
lancers were also seen in the chaparral which skirted 
the bridge. When the detachment came within sixty 
yards, the enemy opened a heavy fire, and killed and 
wounded several of the command. Colonel Harney 



262 DRAGOON FIGHT AT MADELLIN. 

now fell back, and sent to the lines for two pieces of 
artillery. In a short time he was joined by Lieutenant 
Judd of the 3rd artillery, with two guns, one company 
of the 1st Tennessee regiment, Captain Cheatham, 
parts of four companies of the 2nd Tennessee, Colonel 
Haskell, and about forty dismounted dragoons under 
Captain Hardee. General Patterson also arrived near 
the scene of action, but declined interfering with the 
dispositions made by Colonel Harney for the attack. 
Captain Ker, with the dismounted men, was placed on 
the left of the road leading to the bridge ; the volun- 
teers under Colonel Haskell, on the right ; and the 
artillery moved along the road, supported by Captain 
Hardee. Major Sumner remained with his command 
in reserve. In a few seconds they were warmly en- 
gaged along the whole line. After six or eight rounds 
were fired from the guns, the heads of the enemy were 
no longer seen above the parapet, and a charge was 
ordered. Colonel Haskell, Captains Cheatham and 
Hardee, rushed forward at the head of the volunteers 
and dragoons with fearless intrepidity, and leaped over 
the fortification, ba3^oneting the gunners at their posts 
or driving them from the bridge. The enemy fell 
back, but re-formed beyond the bridge. This was 
cleared in a moment, and Major Sumner dashed over 
it with his dragoons. The Mexican lancers could not 
stand the shock. Their weapons were broken like 
reeds by the American sabres. The enemy turned 
and fled in all directions, leaving more than fifty killed 
and wounded, in the attack and pursuit. The Ameri- 
can loss was two killed and twelve wounded. 

The fire was continued during the 25th upon the 
city of Vera Cruz from the five batteries in operation. 
In the town, that nifjht was full of horrors. There 



CAPITULATION OF VERA CRUZ. 263 

was no place of safety to be found. The governor 
was besought and entreated to spare the further effu- 
sion of blood by a surrender. Proud and punctilious 
to the end he refused to do any thing that would dero- 
gate from his honor, but was finally persuaded to yield 
up the command to General Landero, by whom nego- 
tiations were opened with General Scott, At eight 
o'clock in the morning of the 26th the batteries ceased 
playing, and articles of capitulation were signed on the 
following day.* The surrender of the city took place 
in the morning of the 29th, when the Mexican forces 
marched out to a plain about one mile outside the 

* " Terms of capitulation agreed upon by the commissioners, viz : — 

" Generals W. J. Worth and G. J. Pillow, and Colonel J. G. Totten, 
chief engineer, on the part of Major General Scott, general-in-chief of 
the armies of the United States ; and Colonel Jose Gutierrez de Villa- 
nueva, lieutenant colonel of engineers, Manuel Robles, and Colonel 
Pedro de Herrera, commissioners appointed by General of Brigade, Don 
Jose .Tunn Landero, commanding in chief, Vera Cruz, the castle of San 
Juan de Ulua, and their dej)endencies, for the surrender to the arms of 
the United States of the said forts, with their armaments, munitions of 
war, garrisons, and arms. 

" I. The whole garrison, or garrisons to be surrendered to the arms 
of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant, at 10 o'clock, 
A. M. ; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honors 
of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed 
by the general-in-cliief of the United States armies, and at a point to 
be agreed upon by the commissioners. 

"2. ]\Iexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, in- 
cluding horses and horse furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irreg- 
ular officers, as also the rank and file, five days to retire to their respec- 
tive homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed. 

"3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article l,the Mex- 
ican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by 
their own batteries; and, immediately thereafter, Forts Santiago and 
Conce'ption, and the castle of San Juan de Ulua, occupied by the forces 
of the United States. 

" 4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be 



264 THE AMERICAN FLAG HOISTED. 

town, where the American soldiers were drawn up to 
receive them. After passing between the lines they 
laid down their arms and colors, and departed for the 
interior. General Worth was appointed military gov- 
ernor of the town and caslle, and immediately entered 
the city with a portion of his division. Shortly after 
a grand national salute was fired from the squadron, as 
the American flag rose above the Plaza of Vera Cruz, 
and floated in triumph over the ramparts of San Juan 
de Ulua, the Gibraltar of Mexico. 

The reduction of the city and castle was effected by 
General Scott, with what may be regarded as a trifling 
loss, in comparison with the importance of the achieve- 
ment. Including the losses sustained by the navy, 

disposed of after surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief may 
desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their homes. The 
officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the usual 
parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve 
again until duly exchanged. 

" 5. All the maleriei of war, and all public property of every descrif*- 
tion found in the city, the castle of San Juan de Ulua and their de- 
pendencies, to belong to the United States ; but the armament of the 
same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecution of the actuai 
war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a definite 
treaty of peace. 

" G. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the 
city with such meJical officers and attendants, and officers o fthe army, 
^s may be necessary to their care and treatment. 

" 7. Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city, 
and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or 
property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States, with- 
out previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent. 

" 8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly 
guaranteed." 

[On account of the roughness of the sea, all communication with the 
navy was suspended until after commissions had been exchanged, but 
Captain Aulick was afterwards appointed a commissioner by Commo- 
dore Perry, and was present at the signing of the articles of capitula- 
tion, which received his approbation.] 



CAPTURE OF ALVARADO. 265 

there were three officers killed and three wounded, in 
the debarkation, investment and bombardment, and ten 
men killed and sixty wounded.* Upon occupying the 
city it was found to be in a most disgusting state of 
uncleanliness. General Worth ordered the filth to be 
removed, and took prompt measures to insure good 
order, and guard against disease. The poorer inhabi- 
tants of Vera Cruz were also ascertained to be in a 
suffering condition, and ten thousand rations were di- 
rected to be issued for their relief; thus presenting a 
singular feature in warfare — the victors feeding; the 
vanquished, with the stores brought hundreds of miles 
for their own sustenance and support. 

On the 30th instant a detachment of troops under 
General Quitman left Vera Cruz to co-operate with the 
squadron under Commodore Perry, in a joint attack 
upon Alvarado. Lieutenant Hunter was dispatched in 
advance, with the steamer Scourge, to blockade the port. 
He arrived off the bar in the afternoon of the 30th, 
and at once opened a fire upon the forts at the mouth 
of the river, which were garrisoned by four hundred 
men. During the night he stood off, but renewed the 
attack in the morning, when the enemy evacuated 
their defences. Several government vessels in the 
harbor were burned, and the guns spiked or buried in 
the sand before they retired. Leaving a garrison in 
the fort. Lieutenant Hunter proceeded up the river 
and succeeded in capturing four schooners. Early in 
the morning of the 1st of April, he anchored off Thla- 
cotalpan, a city containing near seven thousand in- 

* Major Vinton, 3rd artillery, Captain Alburtis, 2nd infantr}'-, and 
Midshipman Shubrick, of the navy, were the officers killed. The cas- 
ualties at the Puente del Midois and the Madellin river, are not in- 
cluded in the statement in the text. 

12 



266 MARCH INTO THE INTERIOR. 

habitants, which surrendered to him without offering 
any resistance. Commodore Perry arrived on the 2nd 
with the squadron, but the towns on the river were al- 
ready captured.* 

The dreaded vomito would soon be on the coast, 
and General Scott could not linger at Vera Cruz. 
Owing to unavoidable delays and accidents, but one 
fourth of the necessary road-train had arrived, yet he 
determined to escape the pestilence, as he expressed it, 
"by pursuing the enemy." Lieutenant Colonel Belton 
was left with a detachment in command of Vera Cruz 
and the castle. On the 8th of April, General Twiggs 
took up the march with his division, and was followed 
in a few days by the remaining columns of the army. 
General Scott and his soldiers were now upon the 
high road to the Mexican capital, confidently trusting 
— and they were not disappointed — to find it strewn 
with the laui'els and paved with the trophies of vic- 
tory. After a period of more than three hundred 

* Lieutenant Hunter was tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to 
be dismissed from the squadron for transcending his orders in the attack 
on Alvarado. His bravery and zeal, ill-timed though they were, cannot 
be questioned ; but the consequences of a disobedience of orders were 
never more signally illustrated. It was thought by the quarter-master's 
department, and that not without reason, that about two-thirds of the 
draught animals required for the use of the army under General Scott 
could be procured in Mexico. The country extending from Orizaba to 
Huasiqualco, which was covered by Alvarado and Thlacotalpan, 
abounded in horses, mules, and cattle ; which it was the object of the 
joint expedition under Commodore Perry and General Quitman to se- 
cure. Lieutenant Hunter was sent in advance merely to blockade the 
river. Ignorant of the intentions of his superiors, he ventured upon an 
attack. It was successful ; but before General Quitman arrived in the 
rear of the enemy's towns, they had fled into the interior with their 
horses and cattle, and the very resources which were needed for the 
American army, were seized by Santa Anna and his oflicers. — Annual 
Report of the Quarter-Master General, Nov. 21, 1847. 



THE MEXICAN PORTS OPENED. 267 

years, they found themselves upon the pathway made 
famous by the exploits of Hernando Cortes and his 
followers. Like the Spaniard, perhaps, they came, for 
the time, at least, to conquer ; but, unlike him, they 
came to make no war upon inoffensive inhabitants — 
they violated no altars — they profaned no sanctuaries. 
They came not to establish a new faith, nor yet in 
quest of some fabled Pactolus, "n<ch with golden 
sands ;" but they came as the representatives of their 
country, to defend her honor and maintain her rights. 

After the capture of Vera Cruz, and the other prin- 
cipal ports on the Mexican Gulf, they were opened to 
our own commerce and that of neutral vessels, by di- 
rection of the President of the United States ; and a 
tariff of duties was established for the admission of all 
articles not contraband of war. The duties were col- 
lected by officers of the army or navy appointed for that 
purpose, and applied to the expenses of conducting 
the war. The attention of General Taylor had before 
that time been called to the subject of collecting mili- 
tary contributions of the enemy, if he thought it expe- 
dient. When his wagon-trains were destroyed, he 
required an indemnification to be made, although no 
systematized plan of enforcing contributions was 
adopted. General Scott received similar instructions, 
when on his way to the city of Mexico ; but in pur- 
suance of the discretion vested in him, he decided not 
to exasperate the people, or drive them into open hos- 
tility, where they were disposed to be neutral, by the 
exercise of a belligerent right which might seriously 
embarrass his operations. 



CHAPTER IX. 

SCOTT AT CERRO GORDO. 

Return of Santa Anna to the city of Mexico — Fortifications at Cerro 
Gordo — Arrival of the American Army at the Rio del Plan — Storming 
the Heights — The Enemy routed — Capture of Jalapa and Perote — 
The Guerilleros — Proclamation of General Scott — Entrance of the 
Americans into Puebja — Warlike proceedings of the Mexican govern- 
ment — Skirmishing on the road from Vera Cruz — The Army rein- 
forced — March towards the Mexican Capital. 

With sickness and famine stalking, like giant spec- 
tres, in his rear, Santa Anna returned to San Luis 
Potosi, followed by the remnant of the proud army so 
signally routed and repulsed, by an inferior force, on 
the field of Buena Vista. During his absence the city 
of Mexico had been the scene of continued tumult and 
confusion, and he now hurried to the capital, with a 
portion of his soldiers, to put an end to these disorders. 
The election of Gomez Farias to the Vice Presidency, 
as has been mentioned, was extremely unpopular. He 
appears to have been zealous and patriotic ; but these 
were qualities which many of his countrymen could 
not, or did not appreciate. He attempted to enforce 
contributions from the church, for the support of the 
army and the prosecution of the war, which at once 
called down upon his head the denunciations of the 
clergy. The embers of discord were soon fanned into 
a flame ; for several days the rival factions, unmindful 
of the prostrate condition of their country, fought like 
infuriated madmen, in the streets of Mexico ; and the 



CIVIL DISSENSIONS IN MEXICO. 269 

emeute was only suppressed upon the arrival of Santa 
Anna, and his assumption of the reins of power.* 

This question also occasioned considerable alterca- 
tion and debate in Congress. Various measures were 
proposed, some of them of a most violent character, 
for the removal of Farias ; but Santa Anna would not 
allow any thing to be done except in a constitutional 
manner. Finally, on the 1st of April, the decree by 
which the office of vice president had been created, 
was suppressed ; permission was given to the Pro- 
visional President to take command of the forces in 
the field ; and a President substitute was ordered to be 
chosen, to exercise the authority of chief magistrate in 
the absence of Santa Anna. On the same day Gen- 
eral Anaya was elected to fill the office ; the appoint- 
ment appeared to give satisfaction to all parties ; and 
on the 2nd instant he entered upon the discharge of 
his duties as the acting executive. 

The capture of Vera Cruz and the fall of San Juan 
<ie Ulua, awakened the Mexican people to the necessity 
of foregoing the indulgence of their constitutional pre- 
dilection for party strifes and contentions, if they would 
resist the march of the American soldiers then advan- 
cing upon their capital, under the successful chieftain 
who led them on to battle and to glory. Governor 
Morales and General Landero received the reward 
usually meted out by Santa Anna to his unfortunate 
officers : for their failure to achieve impossibilities they 
were arrested, and confined in the castle of Perote. 
Earnest appeals were made by Santa Anna and Anaya 
to their fellow-citizens, to forget their feuds and ani- 
mosities, and to listen only to the suggestions of pa- 

* Santa Anna did not assume the supreme power until requested to 
do fio bj a majority of the members of the Mexican Congress. 



270 THE TIERRA CALIENTE. 

triotism, and unite in making preparations to meet the 
invaders. 

A more warlike spirit was soon manifested. The 
clergy of the archbishopric of Mexico bound them- 
selves to furnish the government with the sum of one 
and a half million of dollars, payable in monthly in- 
stalments ; plans for fortifjnng the city were adopted ; 
and the public journals devoted their columns to arti- 
cles designed to encourage the timid, and arouse the 
faint-hearted.* At the head of 8,000 troops, 5,000 of 
whom had constituted the flower of the army, at San 
Luis Potosi.f Santa Anna again ventured forth to try 
his fortunes on another field. While on the road to 
check the advance of General Scott, he was joined by 
a large body of national guards from the State of 
Puebla ; at Jalapa he was reinforced by 2,000 men ; 
and numbers of the jarochada, or lower class of peas- 
antry and laborers, of the State of Vera Cruz, were 
also pressed into his service. With these additions his 
army numbered little short of 15,000. After leaving 
Jalapa, he advanced to the pass of Vaechi, or Cerro 
Gordo, near the Rio del Plan, which had been the 
scene of one of his most brilliant efforts during the 
revolution, and was regarded as being almost impreg- 
nable. 

About sixty miles from Vera Cruz, and over thirty 
from Jalapa, the national road crosses the Rio del 
Plan and the M'ide rocky plain on its northern bank, 

* " In the front of an enemy conquering and menacing, we conjure all 
Mexicans who love the honor, and even the existence of their country, 
that henceforth they have but one party, — that of Independence ; and 
but one device, — that of Vengeance and War !" — Extract from an arti- 
cle in the Republicano. 

f These were the infantry regiments and regular artillerists, who 
highly distinguished themselves at the battle of Buena Vista. 



THE PASS OF CERRO GORDO. 271 

and then commences the ascent to the elevated plateau 
of Mexico. Here terminates the low level, — the land 
of the vanilla and cacao, of the banana, the orange and 
the sugar-cane, — glowing with the rich vegetation of 
the tropics, and its shady bowers and sequestered re- 
cesses ' vocal with the melodies of the mocking bird, 
and the thousand other songsters whose notes are trilled, 
softly and sweetly, from early morn till eventide. The 
traveller, as he climbs the steep sides of the Cordilleras, 
pauses on each terrace, and turns upon his steps, to 
gaze upon the broad expanse spread out beneath him, 
like a carpet of rare embroidery ; — the tall coronals of 
the aloe, — the dahlia, the cactus, and the convulvulus, 
• — flowers blushing with every hue of the rainbow, — 
unfold their beauties at his feet ; here a small stream- 
let, and there an ample river, shimmers through the 
leafy interstices of the luxuriant woodland ; and there 
are groves, too, of palms, and cocoas, and sycamores, 
matted together with the waving festoons of unnum- 
bered parasites, whose brilliant dyes fairly dazzle the 
vision of the beholder. With ravished senses he pur- 
sues his way to the interior, and as he Hfts his eyes 
to the snow-crowned summit of Orizaba, it were not 
strange if he should fancy the mountain peak some 
hoary warder, whose locks were silvered with the frosts 
of age, keeping watch over the enchanted realm be- 
hind him. 

After crossing the stream, the road continues its 
course to the north until it reaches the foot of the hills, 
when it tui'ns abruptly to the east. A few hundred 
yards further on it changes its direction to the north- 
west, and after pursuing a circuitous course for nearly 
two miles, now ascending some difficult acclivity or 
thridding some narrow dell, and now surmounting a 



272 FORTIFICATIONS OF THE ENEMY. 

steep ridge, and then dipping down between the over- 
hanging banks on the opposite side, it indi'nes again 
towards the river, and enters the Pass of Cerro Gordo. 
As it approaches the defile it is flanked, on the left, by 
three hills, nearly parallel to each other and to the road, 
jutting out in the shape of a fan from the same terrace 
in the rear, and separated by deep ravines, from one to 
two hundred yards in width. The southernmost ridge 
is situated just above the deep and impassable gorge 
through which the river flows. These hills, which 
command the road, and the defiles leading to the high 
ground in their rear, formed the right and front of the 
Mexican position. Intrenchments were thrown up on 
their eastern extremities, and seventeen pieces of can- 
non distributed among the different works. In addition 
to the advanced breastwork on the crest of the central 
bluff, which was partially masked by brush- and a stone 
wall, there was a redoubt in the rear, with three or four 
guns, and still further to the rear and left, on a retired 
line, was an intrenched batteiy of two guns. The in- 
tervals and slopes on the east of this line of intrench- 
ments were for the most part thickly wooded, or cov- 
ered with underbrush. 

Something more than half a mile higher up, on the 
right of the road, and ai a point where it approaches 
to within eighty or a hundred yards of the river, was 
a strong battery of six large brass guns, which com- 
pletely enfiladed the defile. Just beyond this, and a 
little further to the north, rose the key of the whole 
position, the main height of Cerro Gordo, towering far 
above the surrounding hills, and commanding the ad- 
vanced batteries, and the road, " on a single declination, 
like a glacis, for nearly a mile." Around the hill, about 
sixty yards from its foot, was a breastwork of stone for 



APPROACH OF THE AMERICANS. 273 

the protection of infantry, and on the summit there was 
a fortified citadel, or tower, called the Telegrafo, also 
surrounded by a strong work, with six guns mounted 
on carriages. Immediately in front of Cerro Gordo, 
were several smaller hills occupied by advanced parties 
of Mexican infantry and lancers. Nearly one half of 
the enemy were posted within the intrenchments, or in 
their vicinity, and the main body, under Santa Anna in 
person, were encamped on the road, about half a mile 
west of the tower, with a battery of five guns. 

General Twiggs arrived at the Plan del Rio, on the 
11th of April, with his division of regulars. The ad- 
vanced guard of dragoons under Colonel Harney, drove 
a body of Mexican lancers from the ground, and the 
division encamped for the night. On the following 
day, General Twiggs again moved forward, to cover a 
reconnaissance of the enemy's works, and, if practica- 
ble, to make an effective attack. Deeming it unwise 
to advance further at that time, he returned to his old 
camp, leaving a strong picket to retain the ground 
passed over, with the intention of attacking the enemy 
at daybreak on the 13th. The first and third brigades 
of General Patterson's volunteer division, commanded 
by Generals Pillow and Shields, came up on the 12th 
instant; and the contemplated attack was postponed for 
one day, in order to allow the volunteers, who were 
anxious to participate in the engagement, to recover 
from the fatigue of the march over the long and deep 
sandy road from Vera Cruz ; and on the night of the 
13th, all offensive operations were further suspended, 
by direction of General Patterson, until the arrival of 
the General-in-chief, who was daily expected. 

When General Scott reached the scene of the anti- 
cipated conflict, and examined the position occupied by 

12* 



274 PREPARATION FOR ACTION. 

the Mexican forces, he decided to turn their left, and 
attack them in the rear, while menacing or engaging 
them in front. The reconnaissance previously com- 
menced by Lieutenant Beauregard, was continued by 
Captain Lee, of the corps of engineers, for the purpose 
of discovering a route by which the Jalapa road could 
be gained, and the retreat of the enemy intercepted. 
Under the supervision of the engineer olBcers a road 
was constructed, leaving the main route a short dis- 
tance below where it commences inclining towards the 
river, and extending over rocky slopes and deep chasms, 
through thickets of chaparral, and beneath frowning 
precipices, to the left of Cerro Gordo, for a distance of 
between two and three miles, and within range of the 
Mexican batteries. When the working parties were 
discovered, they were fired upon with grape and mus- 
ketry. Further reconnaissance, therefore, was impos- 
sible without an action, and General Scott immediately 
made his dispositions for storming the whole line of in- 
trenchments and batteries. 

General Worth joined the main body on the night 
of the 16th of April, with the first division of regulars, 
and on the same evening General Twiggs was directed 
to advance with his division, early in the morning of 
the next day, on the line of operations upon the right 
of the national road. On the 17th instant General 
Scott issued his celebrated order of battle, — remark- 
able alike for the prescience which seems to have dic- 
tated it, and for the undoubting confidence manifested 
by its author in the officers and men whom he com- 
manded.* To the brave and intrepid Twiggs, whose 

* " The enemy's whole line of intrenchments and batteries will be at- 
tacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day to-mor- 
low, — pr"'bably before ten o'clock, a. m. 



/ 



ORDER OF BATTLE. 275 

division, cavalry excepted, were then well advanced 
on the principal line of attack, was assigned the task 
of driving the enemy from the hill of Cerro Gordo, and 
cutting off their retreat by the Jalapa road ; General 
Shields was directed to reinforce General Twigcrs with 

CO 

one or more of the regiments of his brigade, as circum- 
stances might render necessary ; and General Worth 

" The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already advanced 
■within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That division 
has instructions to move forward before daylight to-morrow, and take 
up position across the national road in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off 
a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if unexpectedly 
attacked in force, by regiments, — one or two, — taken from Shields' 
brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march 
for the purpose at daylight to-morrow morning, under Brigadier General 
Shields, who will report to Brigadier General Twiggs, on getting up witk 
him, or to the General-in-chief, if he be in the advance. 

" The remaining regiment of the volunteer brigade will receive in- 
structions in the course of the day. 

" The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement 
against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. 

" As already arranged. Brigadier General Pillow's brigade will march 
at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully re- 
connoitered, and stand ready, as soon as he hears the report of arms on 
our right, or sooner, if circumstances should favor him, to pierce the en- 
emy's line of batteries at such point, — the nearer to the river the better, 
as he may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to the right 
or left, or both, and attack the batteries in reverse, or, if abandoned, he 
will pursue the enemy with vigor until forther orders. 

" Wall's field-battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the 
national road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries. 
They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the morning. 

" The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions 
and corps will pursue with vigor. 

" This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by dark- 
ness, or fortified positions, towards Jalapa. Consequently, the body of 
the army will not return to this encampment ; but be followed to-mor- 
row afternoon, or early the next morning, by the baggage-trains of the 
several corps. "-^Extract from the order of General Scott, dated at the 
Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847. 



276 SKIRMISHING. 

was ordered to follow the movement on the enemy's 
left, and support it, with his division, at sunrise on 
the 18th. General Pillow had reconnoitered, in person, 
the works on the right of the Mexican position, and he 
was instructed to hold himself in readiness to attack 
them with his brigade, as soon as he heard the report 
of arms in the morning of the 18th from the other flank. 
Wall's field battery and the cavalry were to be held in 
reserve. 

The division of General Twiggs arrived at its posi- 
tion before eleven o'clock in the morning of the 17th, — 
the right of the column being within seven hundred yards 
of the hill of Cerro Gordo. The first brigade, commanded 
by Colonel Harney on this occasion, in consequence of 
the illness of General P. F. Smith, and consisting of 
the rifle regiment, Major Sumner temporarily in com- 
mand ; the 1st artillery. Colonel Childs ; and the 7th 
infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Plympton, were ordered 
to seize and maintain all the heights in the neighbor- 
hood of the enemy's main work. Accordingly, Lieu- 
tenant Gardner, of the 7th infantry, was directed with 
his compan}'^ to move to the crest of a hill on the left, 
and watch the movements of the enemy. While ex- 
ecuting the order, he became engaged with a strong 
skirmishing party sent out to meet him, and followed 
by a large reserve, in all numbering about two thou- 
sand. He gallantly maintained his position under a 
heavy fire, and held them at bay, until he was succored 
by the rifles and the 1st artillery, who hurried to his 
assistance. After a short conflict the Mexicans were 
driven from the position, and closely pursued. They 
made a second stand on a hill near the Cerro Gordo, 
under cover of their guns, which rained showers of 
grape and canister upon the assailants, who pressed on 



GUNS DRAWN UP THE HEIGHTS. 277 

undaunted, though sufferhig severely. The hill was 
stormed and carried. Three times the enemy charged 
to recover the position, and three times were they re- 
pulsed with loss. The American soldiers refused to 
yield a single inch of ground which they had gained. 
One section of Major Talcott's mountain howitzer bat- 
tery, belonging to the voltigeurs, with a number of 
rockets, under the command of Lieutenant Reno, were 
ordered up the height, and aided them in maintaining 
it. In the ardor of the moment, a portion of the troops, 
headed by Colonel Childs, rushed down the opposite 
side of the hill, and commenced the ascent of Cerro 
Gordo. The recall was sounded again and again, but 
they had approached within one hundred and fifty yards 
of the enemy's batteries before they discovered that 
they were not followed bv the remainder of the force. 
They then halted, and retired down the height. 

The 1st artillery rejoined General Twiggs, and the 
rifles and the 7th infantry bivouacked on the hill for 
the night. Fires were built underneath the cliffs upon 
the line occupied by General Twiggs' division, and the 
work of transporting the heavy artillery to the cap- 
tured hill was soon after commenced. This duty 
was performed by the 4th artillery and the volunteer 
brigade of General Shields, and occupied nearly the 
entire night. With the aid of picket ropes, one twenty- 
four pounder gun, and two twenty-four pounder howit- 
zers, were drawn up to the crest of the height, and 
placed in battery, under the superintendence of Captain 
Lee. On the same night, under the direction of Lieu- 
tenant Tower, of the engineers, and Lieutenant Laid- 
ley, of the ordnance, an eight-inch howitzer was put 
in position across the river, and opposite to the enemy's 



278 ASSAULT. 

right battery, by a detachment of the New York vol- 
unteers, commanded by Major Burnham. 

Lighted only by the flickering rays of their watch- 
fires, save when the rising moon appeared above the 
horizon, the soldiers detailed to perform this arduous 
task, toiled on without cessation until the work was 
completed. They complained not of fatigue or ex- 
haustion. No danger appalled, — no labor wearied them. 
Zealous and enthusiastic, they panted for the coming 
struggle ; and they were strengthened, too, by the con- 
fidence of anticipated success, — the feeling of assur- 
ance that their efforts would not be in vain. 

When the first waves of the morning light surged 
up over the mountain tops from the distant Gulf, the 
whole American army, from the right to the extreme 
left, were in motion. The storming of Cerro Gordo 
was the first object to be achieved. At seven o'clock 
on the 18th, the heavy guns planted on the hill opened 
their fire upon the height above it, and were served 
with effect by Captain Steptoe and Lieutenant Brown, 
of the 3rd artillery, Lieutenant Hagner, of the ord- 
nance, and Lieutenant Seymour, of the 1st artillery. 
The assaulting party consisted of the first brigade of 
General Twiggs' division, commanded by Colonel Har- 
ney, to whom the execution of the enterprise was in- 
trusted, reinforced by the 3rd infantry. Captain Alex- 
ander, from the second brigade, and a company of 
sappers and miners under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, of 
the engineers. Before the attack upon the main work 
of the enemy was ordered, a large succoring force 
were discovered advancing on the national road, in a 
direction which would have enabled them to turn the 
assaulting column. The rifle regiment, now com- 
manded by Major Loring, Major Sumner having been 



OPERATIONS OF GENERAL TWIGGS. 279 

wounded on the previous day, were immediately or- 
dered to the left, to hold the approaching force in check 
until the assault commenced, when they were directed 
to join in it on that flank. The order was faithfully 
obeyed, in the midst of a withering fire upon the front 
and flanks of the regiment, from the enemy's batteries 
and intrenchments. In the meantime Colonel Harney 
formed the remainder of his troops for the attack, — 
the 7th infantry on the right, the 3rd infantry on the 
left, and the Igt artillery in the rear, with orders to 
support the infantry. A few moments passed in si- 
lence, and then the charge was sounded. The wel- 
come note was echoed and repeated along the entire 
line. As one man, they sprang over the crest of the 
hill, dashed down the declivity, and ascended the op- 
posite height. 

The 2nd infantry, Captain Morris, and 4th artillery, 
Major Gardner, forming the remainder of the second 
brigade, commanded by Colonel Riley, moved forward 
at an early hour in the direction of the national road, 
in order to cut off the retreat of the enemy, under the 
guidance of Captain Lee, who was supported by a com- 
pany of the 4th artillery, in command of Lieutenant 
Benjamin. Their course lay directly across a ravine 
swept by the Mexican batteries, and they soon became 
also exposed to an annoying fire of musketry from the 
hill of Cerro Gordo on their left, upon the western 
slopes of which the enemy appeared in force. A de- 
tachment, consisting of two companies of the 2nd in- 
fantry, under Captain Penrose, were promptly deployed 
as skirmishers, with directions to drive the enemy from 
the hill at every hazard. Observing that Santa Anna 
was now rapidly extending his line to the left, to keep 
open his communications with the rear, General Twiggs 



280 STORMING OF CERRO GORDO. 

ordered General Shields to cross a deep ravine on the 
right, and advance up its left bank with his brigade, 
against the Mexicans in the road. The skirmishing 
party sent up the hill in rear of the main work, were 
warmly engaged with the enemy in a short time, and 
two additional companies of the same regiment were 
detached in like manner. Captain Lee continued his 
course towards the national road with his escort, but 
the remaining companies of the 4th artillery, accom- 
panied by General Twiggs, followed the movement up 
the reverse of Cerro Gordo, preceded by the skirmish- 
ers, who gallantly charged upon the enemy, and drove 
them from their positions. Colonel Riley also com- 
menced ascending the hill with the remainder of the 
2nd infantry. 

A plunging and destructive fire of round shot, grape, 
canister, and musketry, was poured upon the party of 
stormers moving to the assault of Cerro Gordo in front. 
The section and rockets of Talcott's battery, under 
Lieutenant Reno, returned the fire with spirit and ef- 
fect. The hill was steep and difficult of ascent. Loose 
craggy rock.s, and tangled chaparral, impeded the prog- 
ress of the assaulting column. The tops of the smaller 
trees had also been cut off" by the enemy, from four to 
five feet above the ground, and pointed down the hill, 
as an obstacle to the advance of an assailing force. A 
brief delay took place at the breastwork near the foot of 
the height, but the bayonet did its work truly and well. 
The barrier was surmounted, and the stormers pushed 
on with redoubled zeal. The steepness of the accliv- 
ity rendered the fire of the enemy less sure and certain 
than it might otherwise have been ; but it was suffi- 
ciently severe to make the stoutest hearted stand in 
awe, had they not been impelled and sustained by a 



CAPTURE OF THE TOWER. 281 

courage that could not falter. Animated by the words 
and heroic bearing of the undaunted Harney, whose 
tall and manly form was conspicuous to friend and 
foe, as he cheered his men on to the conflict, the Amer- 
icans pressed forward with accelerated speed. The 
fate of the day never for a moment remained in sus- 
pense. Within musket range of the breastwork around 
the tower, they halted to deliver their unerring fire. 
Again the charge was ordered. Wreaths of mingled 
smoke and flame encircled the combatants. Anxious 
eyes were turned in that direction from every quarter. 
The colors of the 1st artillery, and of the 3rd and 7th 
infantry, were planted upon the breastwork, but the 
Mexican standard was still flying. A few^ rapid vol- 
leys were fired — then the crushing steel bore down 
every thing before it — and the flag which had waved 
over so many beating hearts in the hour of victory, 
floated alone upon the height of Cerro Gordo! 

Portions of the rifle regiment joined the storming 
column, and the foremost companies of the 2nd infan- 
try, who had ascended the opposite side of the hill, also 
reached its summit, in time to participate in the final 
assault. General Vasquez, the oflicer in command, was 
killed in the tower which he had so bravely defended. 
The hill was thickly covered with the dead and wounded 
of the enemy ; a number were taken prisoners ; and 
the remainder retreated in haste on the Jalapa road. 
The guns captured in the fort were turned upon its late 
occupants, and eflectively served by Captain Magru- 
der, of the 1st artillery, and Lieutenant Richardson, of 
the 3rd infantry, while General Twiggs pushed forward 
in the pursuit with the 4th artillery and 2nd infantry. 
The second division, under General Worth, reached 
the position occupied by General Twiggs on the night 



282 ATTACK ON THE ENEMY S RIGHT. 

of the 17th, before the height was carried, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel C. ^. Smith was instantly detached, 
with his light battalion, to support the assault, but did 
not arrive in time. General Worth soon after reached 
the tower, and observing a white flag displayed from 
the battery on the national road, just beneath the hill 
of Cerro Gordo, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs 
to hold a parley. The work proved to be in command 
of General Pinson, a mulatto officer of considerable dis- 
tinction, and was surrendered in compliance with the 
summons of General Worth. 

The first brigade of volunteers, commanded by Gen- 
eral Pillow, was under arms at sunrise, but did not 
reach the position assigned to it in front of the enemy's 
works on the right, until after General Twiggs had 
opened the action on the other flank. General Pillow 
immediately divided his command into two storming 
parties, each supported by a strong reserve. It was 
his intention to assail the adjacent angles of the two 
batteries nearest the river, simultaneously ; but his po- 
sition being discovered by the enemy, a galling fire was 
opened on his ranks, and rather than dishearten the 
troops by a retreat.,. Colonel Haskell, who commanded 
the assaulting force intended for the attack of the cen- 
tral battery, consisting of his regiment, (the 2nd Ten- 
nessee foot,) a company of Kentucky volunteers under 
Captain Williams, and one company of the 2nd Penn- 
sylvania, Captain Naylor, was directed to assault the 
work, and carry it at the ponit of the bayonet. An 
enfilading fire upon the Mexican batteries was obtained 
from the eight-inch howitzer, in command of Lieuten- 
ant Ripley, of the 2nd artillery, on the right bank of 
the river, and it was kept actively engaged. Colonel 
Wynkoop, of the 1st Pennsylvania, in command of the 



THE VOLUNTEERS UNDER SHIELDS. 283 

storming party designed to attack the battery on the 
extreme right, moved towards the position where he 
was ordered to make the assault. The 1st Tennessee, 
Colonel Campbell, was directed to support the column 
under Colonel Wynkoop, and the 2nd Pennsylvania, 
Colonel Roberts, the party commanded by Colonel 
Haskell. 

As the column headed by Colonel Haskell advanced 
to the attack, they encountered a resistance which they 
had not anticipated. The fire of seven pieces of heavy 
artillery was turned upon them, and effected terrible 
execution. They pressed on undismayed, through 
dense thickets of underbrush, until they came within 
range of the enemy's musketry. With an energy and 
steadiness worthy of experienced soldiers, they still 
continued on their course, regardless of the havoc 
made among their number. At lencjth the fire became 
too terrible, and the party were compelled to retire. 
General Pillow being severely wounded, Colonel Camp- 
bell assumed the command of the brigade, and com- 
menced making his dispositions for a second attack. 
Colonel Wynkoop, in the meantime, had arrived in 
front of the battery on the bank of the river, when all 
further operations were suspended by the capture of 
the hill of Cerro Gordo. The advanced works of the 
enemy were now exposed to a fire from the rear which 
would soon have demolished them ; a white flag was 
therefore displayed over the intrenchments, and this 
portion of the enemy, now cut off from the main body, 
surrendered themselves prisoners of war. 

Upon the extreme right jthe brigade under General 
Shields, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Illinois, Colonels 
Foreman and Baker, and the New York regiment, Col- 
onel Burnett, were more successful. Crossing a ravine 



284 THE ENEMY ROUTED. 

which the Mexicans deemed impassable, and which, up 
to that time, had nevei'been crossed,* " under a canopy 
of cannon-balls," they gained its left bank, and advan- 
ced against the rear battery, with a celerity which 
filled the enemy with astonishment. Santa Anna had 
evidently given up the contest in front, and was hurry- 
ing with the greater part of his forces to the rear. Gen- 
eral Shields was upon them in a moment. While form- 
ing his men for the attack, under a heavy fire from the 
enemy's guns, a grape shot passed through his lungs, 
and he fell to the earth completely paralyzed. — Happily 
for the general himself, and for the service, the wound 
did not prove to be mortal. — Colonel Baker assumed 
the command — Major Harris taking charge of the 4th 
Illinois — and the column was again ordered to advance. 
General Shields at this time was supposed to have been 
mortally wounded, and the brave volunteers were de- 
termined to avenge his loss. They charged upon the 
enemy's line with spirit and enthusiasm, and drove them 
from their loaded guns. Captain Lee, with the com- 
pany commanded by Lieutenant Benjamin, followed 
by Colonel Riley at the head of the second brigade, 
approached on the other flank, and completed the cap- 
ture of the battery. At this point the rout was com- 
plete. Santa Anna, and General Ampudia, the second 
in command, together with Generals Canalizo and Al- 
monte, had barely time to make their escape. The 
private carriage of the Mexican President, his baggage,f 

* Vindication of Santa Anna, by Manuel Maria Jimen, published in 
El Diario del Gobierno, May, 1847. 

f At the siege and capture of San Juan de Ulua, by the French, the 
Mexican commander lost one of his limbs ; and among the trophies cap- 
tured by the volunteers, in his carriage, was his wooden leg, which af- 
forded them and their comrades no little merriment. The personal 
property was, of course, returned ; but it is extremely doubtful whether 
this appendage ever found its wa}' back to his excellency. 



THE PURSUIT. 285 

and the military chest of the army, were captured by 
the volunteers, who now hurried forward with Riley's 
brigade, all under the command of General Twiggs, in 
pursuit of the flying enemy. The cavalry, and the 
field-batteries of Taylor and Wall, were also pushed on 
towards Jalapa, as soon as the road was opened, and 
General Patterson was sent to take command of the 
advanced columns. 

General Scott had not been an inattentive observer 
of the events of the day, and the result was peculiarly 
gratifying to his feelings. He arrived on the height 
of Cerro Gordo shortly after General Worth, and pub- 
licly thanked Colonel Harney and his command for the 
courage and skill displayed in their gallant achievement. 
Before the sun had reached its meridian, the defile was 
passed, and the way opened to the table land of Mexico. 
The network of obstacles which Santa Anna had raised 
to impede the advance of the American army, proved 
to be frail as the meshes of the spider's web.* The 
battle was won, too, by a force barely exceeding 8,000 
men, and under circumstances which justly entitle it 
to a prominent place among the other actions of the 
war.f • * 

The pursuit was continued until late in the afternoon 
of the 18th, and many of the enemy were captured or 
cut down, before the American soldiers were obliged 
to halt, having become nearly exhausted from the heat 
and the distance. Captain Taylor brought up his bat- 

♦ In his proclamation to his countrymen announcing the fall of Vera 
Cruz, Santa Anna said: " If the enemy advance one step more, the 
national independence will be buried in the abyss of the past." Allud- 
ing to this in a postcript to his official dispatch, General Scott pithily 
remarked, " We have taken that step." 

•{• General Quitman did not arrive with the second brigade of volun- 
teers in time to' take part in the action. 



286 TROPHIES OF VICTORY. 

tery, and opened his fire upon their rear columns as 
they ascended the hill of Encerro, when the troops in 
the advance were halted, and encamped within sight 
of the white towers of Jalapa. On the morning of the 
19th, General Patterson entered the city, escorted by 
the dragoons, and followed by General Twnggs, with 
the infantry and artillery, in company with a deputa- 
tion from its authorities, who came out to implore pro- 
tection for their fellow-citizens. 

Upwards of 3,000 prisoners, more than 4,000 stands 
of arms, 43 pieces of artillery, many of them manu- 
factured in the royal foundry at Seville, and a large 
quantity of fixed ammunition, were captured in the battle 
of Cerro Gordo. The Americans lost 431 officers and 
men, in killed and wounded ;* and the Mexican loss 
was computed to be from 1,000 to 1,200. Among the 
prisoners taken were Generals Pinson, Jarrero, La 
Vega, Noriega, and Obando. General Scott found 
himself so much embarrassed with the spoils of the 
victory, in consequence of the feebleness of his own 
army in point of numbers, that he was compelled to 
release the prisoners upon their paroles ; and the small 
arms and accoutrements were collected together, and 
broken in pieces, or burned. 

General Worth continued the pursuit beyond Jalapa 
with his division. The pass of La Hoya, a strong po- 
sition west of that city, which had been fortified, and 
defended by a battery of heavy guns, was found en- 
tirely deserted. At noon on the 22nd of April, he en- 

* Seven officers were killed or monally wounded in the battle, viz : 
Lieutenants Ewell and Davis of the rifles; Lieutenant Yearwood, 1st 
Tennessee ; Lieutenants Nelson and Gill, 2nd Tennessee ; and Lieuten- 
ants Cowardin and Murphy, 4th Illinois. Captain Mason, of the rifle 
regiment, also died, some months later, from the effects of a wound re- 
ceived at Cerro Gordo. 



DISCHARGE OF VOLUNTEERS. 287 

tered the town, and occupied the castle of Perote, next 
in importance to San Juan de Ulua, and capable of 
accommodating over 2,000 troops. No resistance was 
offered, — the enemy's forces having been previously 
M'ithdrawn, — and the fortress, with its armament, was 
surrendered by Colonel Velasquez, who had remained 
as a commissioner to perform that duty on behalf of his 
government. Sixty-one bronze guns and mortars, five 
howitzers, eleven thousand cannon balls, fourteen thou- 
sand bombs and hand-grenades, and five hundred mus- 
kets, were turned over to the Americans with the castle. 
General Worth also obtained considerab e quantities 
of corn and flour in Perote and the neighboring haci- 
endas, all which were paid for at fair prices, with the 
assistance of the alcaldes and padres, who manifested a 
laudable zeal in aiding him. 

The excellent discipline and subordination maintained 
by General Scott in the army under his command, de- 
serves a passing notice. Strict orders were issued di- 
rectly after they landed at Vera Cruz, prohibiting the 
commission of any acts of violence upon the persons 
or property of non-combatants. No deviation from 
the regulations which he established was suffered to go 
unrebuked, — no outrage went unpunished. During the 
period of temporary inaction after the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, excesses were occasionally committed, which 
induced him to issue more positive orders at Jalapa, on 
the 30th of April, and from that time there were fewer 
causes of complaint. 

A large number of the volunteers attached to his 
column were enlisted in the months of May and June, 
1846 : consequently, their terms of service had nearly 
expired when the army arrived at Jalapa. They were 
exceedingly anxious to reach the coast, and embark 



288 MEXICAN ARMY DISORGANIZED. 

for home, before the sickly season came on, and the 
commanding general very properly acceded to their 
request, in the belief that the new levies raised under 
the ten regiment bill would soon reach his camp. On 
the 4th of May seven regiments, and two independent 
companies, in all numbering more than 3,000 men, 
were ordered to be discharged.* The design of ad- 
vancing promptly into the heart of the country, how- 
ever, was by no means abandoned. The elements of 
the strength and weakness of the Mexican government 
were concentrated in her capital, and it was of the 
highest im -ortance that the army should move as far 
in that direction as was compatible with its safety and 
security. Reinforcements were expected in a few 
weeks, and early in the month General Worth was or- 
dered to proceed to Puebla, seventy-eight miles be- 
yond Perote, and about ninety miles from Mexico, with 
his division, followed by the brigade under General 
Quitman. 

The Mexican army which General Scott had en- 
countered on the heights of Cerro Gordo, was almost 
totally dispersed. Santa Anna escaped to the vicinity 
of Puebla, with a few followers, and Ampudia, at the 
head of 3,000 cavalry, in a most disastrous plight, 
passed through Perote, on his way to the interior. The 
infantry were utterly disorganized, and fled before their 
pursuers in small bodies, — some throwing away their 
arms, and others selling them in the towns through 
which they passed, for two or three reals. Finding 
that the American army did not advance immediately 

* A portion of the volunteer regiments called out in the fall of 1846, 
and winter of 1847, were enlisted to serve twelve months, or during the 
continuance of the war. This will account for their remaining in ser- 
vice after the expiration of the year, as, it will be seen, was the case. 



THE GUERILLEROS. 289 

beyond Perote, the Mexican general-in-chief employed 
himself for several days, towards the latter part of 
April and the beginning of May, in the neighborhood 
of Oriziba, in collecting and organizing a new force, 
whose assistance had been invoked by his countrymen. 
As early as the 8th of April, it was proposed to adopt 
the guerilla system, at a meeting of the principal citi- 
zens of Mexico, and orders were issued, and measures 
taken by the government to carry the suggestion into 
effect. Among the most efficient of their agents and 
coadjutors was a padre, by the name of Jarauta, orig- 
inally an Aragonese curate, who had been compelled 
to fly from Spain, on account of his participation in 
the cruelties and barbarities perpetrated by the gueril- 
leros who fought under Cabrera.* 

There is something noble in the aspect presented by 
a people flying to their arms, unitedly and sponta- 
neously, in defence of their altars and their hearth- 
stones, — to save themselves from wrong and injury, 
and their wives and daughters from outrage and vi- 
olence. The movements of an excited populace are 
irresistible as the rush of the mountain torrent. Of 
what avail were an armed soldiery of 30,000 men, 
when the citizens of Paris had determined that the 
Bastile should be razed to the ground ? The moors 
and glens of Scotland, the wild fastnesses of the Em- 
erald Isle, and the dense savannas of Georgia and the 
Carolinas, tell us what may be done by men, who, seiz- 
ing the sword, and casting away the scabbard, resist 

* Father Jarauta was engaged in his peaceful avocations as a curste, 
when the war with the United States first commenced; but he appears 
very soon to have preferred 

" The holy text of pike and gun," 
to the ministrations of his priestly calling. 

IS 



290 COMPOSITluN OF THE BANDS. 

oppression even unto death. For a long series of years 
La Vendee bade defiance to the armies of the French 
repubhc. The Swiss peasant, as he quaffs the choice 
vintage of his native land,* never fails to bless the 
brave men who rescued her from the grasp of the Aus- 
trian despot, and the brave descendants who maintained 
the freedom so nobly won, against the efforts of France 
and Burgundy. The guerilla mode of warfare adopted 
by Mina, Empecinado, and their compatriots, had its 
origin in the same impulses, and their deeds of cruelty 
and vengeance, — sometimes just, yet always fearful, — 
are well remembered in the Spanish Peninsula. But 
the Mexican guerilleros w^ere influenced by no such 
feelings, — by no such emotions. The principle which 
animated them was love of plunder, rather than love 
of country, — and the standard under which they ral- 
lied, was the emblem of the bandit, f — not the flag of 
the patriot ! 

The line of the national road has always been in- 
fested with banditti, and the guerilla bands organized 
to annoy the American army, were principally com- 
posed of that class of the population, their associates 
and companions, and a few deserters from the Spanish 
vessels of war lying in the Gulf With very rare ex- 
ceptions — and those mainly confined to the civil and 
military officers of the government, — the better classes 

• At the battle of St. Jacob, fought August 26th, 1444, sixteen hun- 
dred Swiss withstood as many thousand French, led by the Dauphin, 
and maintained their ground until all but ten of their number were cut 
down. The wine produced on the field is called Schumlzcr Blut. 

f The flag of the guerilleros was about two feet long, and from twelve 
to fifteen inches wide. The centre was composed of a broad stripe of 
crimson, with the motto, Nii Qiuaicr, wrought upon it with silk ; on 
either side there was a black stripe, of about half the width, ornamented 
with a death's head and cross-bones. The border was of pale green, 
with crimson tassels at the points. 



PROCLAMATIO^f OF GENERAL SCOTT. 291 

stood entirely aloof from the guerilleros, who soon com- 
menced an indiscriminate plunder of friends and ene- 
mies, and refused to give them their countenance and 
support. The announcement that this system of fight- 
ing was about to be adopted, would have excited serious 
apprehensions in the minds of any other soldiers in the 
world ; but a large proportion of the American troops 
were familiar with the legendary tales of border war- 
fare in their own country, and many had been accus- 
tomed, from childhood, to the dangers and incidents of 
a life upon the frontiers, in the midst of hostile Indians. 
Il was impossible, indeed, at all times to guard against 
surprise, — yet they knew how to retaliate. On the 
11th of May, General Scott issued an eloquent procla- 
mation, addressed to the Mexican people, forcibly de- 
picting their deplorable condition as a nation, and ad- 
vising them to terminate their dissensions and feuds, 
and to cultivate harmony among themselves, and friend- 
ship and amity with other nations. He assured them 
that the war would be prosecuted until an honorable 
peace w^as obtained, and admonished them to be cau- 
tious how they put in force the order to form guerilla 
parties, and to beware how they provoked him to re- 
taliation. The guerilleros were far from being intimi- 
dated by the language of the proclamation, but it induced 
many to v/ithhold their sympathy, whose assistance 
had been counted on with confidence.* 

• '• The hardest heart would be moved to grief in contemplating the 
battle-fields of Mexico a moment after the last struggle [Cerro Gordo.] 
Those generals whom the nation ha-, without service rendered, paid for 
so many years, with some honorable exceptions, have, in the day of 
need, betrayed it by their example or unskilfulness. On that field, 
among the dead and dying, are seen no proofs of military honor, for they 
are reduced to the sad fate of the soldier, — the same on every occasion, 
from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo, — the dead to remain unburied, and the 



292 ADVANCE OF GENERAL WORTH. 

After leaving Perote, the column under General 
Worth entered on an open reach of country, at an al- 
titude of nearly seven thousand feet above the level of 
the ocean, gently undulating, and abounding in the 
productions of more temperate cliines. There were 
many large plantations of maguey, with its dark leaves 
and clustering flowers ; but there were also waving 



wounded abandoned to the chanty and clemency of the conqueror. 
Soldiers who go to fight expecting such a recompense, deserve to be 
classed among the best in the world, since they are stimuhited by no 
hope of ephemeral glory, of regret, of remembrance, or even of a grave. 
***»**♦* 

"I will not believe that the Mexicans of the present day are wanting 
in courage to confess errors which do not dishonor them, and to adopt 
a system of true liberty, of peace, and union with tiieir brethren and 
neighbors of the north ; neither will I believe that they are ignorant of 
the falsity of the calumnies of the press, intended to excite hostility. 
No ! — public sentiment is not to be created or animated by falsehood. 
We have not profaned your temples, nor abused your women, nor seized 
your property, as they would have you believe. We say this with pride, 
and we confirm it by your own bishops, and by the clergy of Tampico, 
Tuspan, Matamoras, Monterey, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and by all the 
authorities, civil and religious, and the inhabitants of every town we 
have occupied. * * * * 

" Abandon then, rancorous prejudices, cease to be the sport of indi- 
vidual ambition, and conduct yourselves like a great .-'imerican nation ; 
leave off at once colonial habits, and learn to be truly free, truly repub- 
lican, and you will become prosperous and happy, for you possess all 
the elements to be so. * * * * 

" The order to form guerilla parties to attack us, I assure you can 
procure nothing but evil to your country, and no evil to our army, which 
will know how to proceed against them ; and if, so far from conciliating, 
you succeed in irritating, you will impose upon us the hard necessity of 
retaliation, and then you cannot blame us for the consequences which 
will fall upon yourselves. 

" I am marching with my army upon Puebla and Mexico ; I do not 
conceal it ; from those capitals I shall again address you. I desire peace, 
friendship, and union ; — it is for you to select whether you prefer war. 
Under any circumstances, be assured I shall not fail my word. — Extracts 
fiom the Proclamation of General Scott. 



AFFAIR AT AMASOaUE. 293 

fields of corn, and wheat, and barley. Scattered about 
over the luxuriant plains were tall mountain peaks, 
fringed with the funereal pine; or piles of blackened 
scoriae, marking the places once lighted by the fires of 
the now slumbering volcano. At El Pinal they crossed 
another ridge, and then descended into the valley, in 
the midst of which lies Puebla — " The city of the An- 
gels."* To the stranger, as he approaches, it seems 
like some rich gem lying in the bosom of the Cordil- 
leras ; but within, vice, degradation, and depravity, the 
most hideous and loathsome, meet him at every turn. 
The church, and the few citizens — comparatively the 
very few — who may be seen at sunset rolling in their 
antique coaches, around the Alameda, enjoying the 
fragrance of its flowers, and inhaling the atmosphere 
cooled by its gushing fountains, — have amassed all the 
property, and the great multitude are miserably poor 
and wretched. 

General Worth halted at Amasoque, twelve miles 
from Puebla, with his division, en the 14th of May, to 
await the arrival of General Quitman. About eight 
o'clock in the forenoon he found his position suddenly 
menaced by about 3,000 Mexican cavalry, commanded 
by Santa Anna. When first discovered they appeared 
to be moving along on the right flank of the Amer- 
icans, towards their rear, and it was soon reported that 
a heavy column were also approaching on the main 
road. Colonel Garland, with the 2nd artillery and a 
section of Duncan's batter}^, and Major Bonneville, 
with the 6th infantry and Steptoe's battery, were or- 
dered to attack the cavalry force, and the remainder 
of the troops prepared to meet the enemy said to be 
advancing in front. No other party was discovered, 

♦ The Mexican name of the city, in full, is, La Puebla de los Angelas. 



294 ENTRANCE INTO PUEBLA. 

however, and after twenty-five rounds were fired from 
the batteries, the Mexican cavalry Were routed, and 
disappeared among the hills. Some prisoners were 
taken, and ninety-eight of the enemy were killed or 
wounded. Late at night Santa Anna reached Puebla 
with his discomfited troops, and evacuated it early on 
the following day. Having been joined by General 
Quitman's brigade. General Worth entered the town 
in the morning of the 15th, without meeting any fur- 
ther resistance, and on the ensuing day took possession 
of the adjacent heights of Loretto and Guadaloupe, 
and planted a battery on the hill of San Juan. 

History presents few instances of the display of dar- 
ing and boldness which deserve to be compared with 
the entrance of the American soldiers into the city of 
Puebla. But little more than four thousand men, 
weather-beaten, jaded, and wayworn, with the dust of 
many a weary day's journey " on their sandal shoon," 
in the gray fatigue-dress of the service, and unaccom- 
panied by the gay paraphernalia of war, marched 
through the midst of a hostile population of sixty thou- 
sand souls, stacked their arms in the public square, 
posted their guards, and, when the night-watches came, 
lay down to sleep without one emotion of fear or alai'm. 
The citizens were evidently chagrined and disappointed ; 
for they had prepared themselves for the approach of 
warriors of swelling port and proud bearing, all glitter- 
ing in purple and gold. Fierce and lowering looks 
were cast upon the soldiers defiling through the streets, 
from the crowded pave and balcony, and from behind 
the vine-covered lattices along their route ; but those 
who marked them well, saw in the kindling eye, the 
rigid muscle, and the stern lip, that dauntless courage 
and unconquerable self-reliance, of far more worth than 



RECEPTION OF THE AAIERICAN3. 295 

numbers, in the time of danger and of peril. Visits of 
ceremony were interchanged between General Worth 
and the civil and ecclesiastical dignitaries of Puebla ; the 
American troops were careful to do nothing that might 
provoke acts of hostility ; yet, after all, their reception 
was " respectfully and coldly courteous, but without 
the slightest cordiality."* 

Mr. Trist, the American Commissioner, and the 
bearer of the dispatch addressed, as we have seen, by 
the Secretary of State, on the 15th of April, to the 
Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, joined General 
Scott at Jalapa, on the 14th of May. Colonel Childs 
was left in command of the city, with the 1st artillery 
and the 2nd Pennsylvania ; Colonel Wynkoop was or- 
dered to garrison the castle of Perote, whei'e a general 
hospital was established, with a battalion of the 1st 
Pennsylvania ; and on the 22nd instant General Twiggs 
marched for Puebla with his division, followed by Gen- 
eral Scott, on the 23rd. ■{■ The dispatch brought by 
Mr. Trist was forwarded to the city of Mexico on the 
12th day of June. 

Foiled in his attempt to prevent the entrance of Gen- 
eral Worth into Puebla, Santa Anna advanced towards 
Mexico, with the feeble force which he still continued 
to dignify with the appellation of " the army of the 
east." His approach was the signal for another dis- 
turbance in the capital. On the 20th of April, Con- 

* Official dispatch of General Worth, May 15th, 1847.— While Gen- 
eral Scott lay at Puebla with the main body of his army, a plan was 
concocted for poisoning his men. After the project was discovered, the 
principal part of the troops were ordered to encamp without the city. 

•j- After leaving Jalapa, the American army became, in the language 
of General Scott, " a self-sustaining machine ;" and drew its subsistence 
mainly from the country. The supplies were paid for, however, as had 
previously been done. 



296 AFFAIRS IN THE CITY OF MEXICO. 

gress had passed a decree declaring it to be treason for 
any public functionary to entertain a proposition of 
peace. The tone of the government and of the people 
was bold and warlike. The star of Santa Anna was 
still in the ascendant ; his enemies were silenced for 
the time ; but when the particulars of the battle of 
Cerro Gordo were made public, they were loud in his 
condemnation. The new constitution adopted by 
Congress was inaugurated, and on the 15th of May 
the regular election for President took place. The re- 
sult was supposed to be in favor of Herrera, then gen- 
erally regarded as the peace candidate, but his oppo- 
nents were strong enough to cause the canvass of the 
vote to be postponed till the 15th of January, 1848, — 
thus continuing the office of provisional president. In 
the midst of the excitement, Santa Anna approached 
the capital. From Ayotla he addressed a letter to the 
President substitute, General Anaya, expressing his 
views in relation to the further conduct of the war and 
the defence of the city, and intimating his intention to 
resign unless they were adopted. 

The citizens of Mexico were exceedingly averse to 
bringing the war any nearer to their vicinity, and on 
the appearance of the General-in-chief of their armies, 
they heaped upon him every epithet of scorn and op- 
probrium. The " Bulletin of Democracy" charged him 
with cowardice and incapacity as an officer, and for a 
few days it was very uncertain whether he would be 
able to maintain himself in authority. A vindication 
of his conduct, prepared by Manuel Maria Jimen, was 
published in the " Diario del Gobierno," and both that 
journal and the " Republicano" engaged warmly in his 
defence. Again he triumphed over his opponents, and 
assumed the s'jpreme authority. Collecting together a 



A WARLIKE DISPOSITION MANIFESTED. 297 

large military force, he commenced fortifying the Pass 
of Rio Frio, and the approaches to the capital ; and 
General Alvarez was sent with a body of irregular cav- 
alry and Indians from Sonora and Sinaloa, about 5,000 
strong, to hover on the road between Perote and Pu- 
ebla, and cut off the trains coming up to join General 
Scott, then at the latter place, waiting for the arrival 
of his reinforcements. 

When the dispatch forwarded from Puebla on the 
12th of June, reached Mexico, it was laid before Con- 
gress. At this time Santa Anna manifested something 
like a disposition to favor the conclusion of a peace, 
although he did not openly attempt to infuse a spirit 
of conciliation into the breasts of his countrymen. 
Various messages passed between him and the repre- 
sentatives of the nation, in relation to the dispatch. 
He evidently desired to have the decree of the 20th of 
April repealed, but no request was made to that effect. 
The invariable reply returned by Congress to the com- 
munications of the Executive, inquiring as to the dis- 
position which should be made of the matter, was, that 
the incipient steps of a negotiation belonged to the lat- 
ter, and that they could not interfere. They feared 
for their own popularity too much to repeal the decree, 
and Santa Anna was probably influenced by a similar 
feeling. Nothing was done towards procuring an in- 
terview with Mr. Trist ; but, on the contrary, the gen- 
eral cry was for the continuance of hostilities. In July 
General Valencia came up from San Luis Potosi, with 
over 4,000 men, all eager for war, and ten pieces of 
artillery. The publication of the different journals 
issued in Mexico, with the exception of the " Diario 
del Gobierno," — the recognized organ of the govern- 
ment, — was suppressed, and when that paper announ- 

13* 



298 REINFORCEMENTS FOR GENERAL SCOTT. 

ced the determination of those whose views it repre- 
sented, not to tender the olive branch of peace until a 
victory had been achieved over the enemy, the power 
and influence of Santa Anna were placed on a firmer 
foundation than ever. 

The enlistment of troops under the ten regiment bill 
did not progress as rapidly as was anticipated by Gen- 
eral Scott, and the War department of the United States, 
considering the large bounties ; but the regiments were 
soon filled up. The first body of troops dispatched 
to the seat of war, were ordered to the Rio Grande, in 
command of General Cadwalader, to aid General Tay- 
lor in maintaining his line of communications, then 
supposed to be seriously endangered ; but, more recent 
advices having been received, the order was counter- 
manded, and they were sent to strengthen the column 
commanded by General Scott. They were followed 
in a short time by detachments under Generals Pillow 
and Pierce, which were also ordered to Vera Cruz. 

Without the reinforcements which he expected to 
join him, it would have been extremely unwise in Gen- 
eral Scott, had he advanced beyond Puebla. Taking 
advantage of the consternation that prevailed about 
the time of his arrival in that city, he might have en- 
tered the capital, perhaps, without an action. His 
whole effective force barely exceeded 6,000 men ; 
Santa Anna was known to be in or near Mexico, with 
a large body of troops ; General Alvarez was within 
striking distance in his rear ; and if he moved forward, 
the detachments coming up would be more exposed to 
attack ; and should they be cut off, his own position 
must be very insecure. Under such circumstances he 
decided to remain at Puebla until the reinforcements 
arrived. He therelbre remained inactive for several 



COLONEL MCINTOSH AND THE GUERILLEROS. 299 

weeks ; but the time was profitably spent in drilling the 
troops on the plains near the town. The divisions of 
Generals Worth and Twiggs were rendered almost 
perfect in discipline, and the volunteers wanted but 
little of being equal to the regulars, in point of effi- 
ciency. 

The guerilleros began to show themselves on the 
road to Vera Cruz towards the latter part of May, and 
the first of June. Captain Walker was ordered to join 
Colonel Wynkoop at Perote, with his company of 
mounted rifles, and he soon commenced the work of 
retaliation. Following their trails, and tracking them 
to their lairs, he rendered most efficient service in de- 
feating their plans and counteracting their projects.* 
On the 4th of June Colonel Mcintosh left Vera Cruz 
for the head-quarters of the army, with three compa- 
nies of the 3rd dragoons, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Moore, and six companies of infantry, belonging to 
different regiments, under Major Lee of the 4th, and 
Captain Whipple of the 5th, in all numbering about 
700 men. The command escorted a large wagon-train 
containing specie and ammunition. The guerilleros 
had been made acquainted with the valuable character 
of the train, and collected in force on the road to reap 
the rich harvest which they fancied to be within their 
grasp. Great care was taken by the Americans to 
prevent a surprise, and flankers were thrown out from 
one to two hundred yards to the right and left of the 
advance guard. 

Soon after they entered the broken country, the de- 
tachment under Colonel Mcintosh encountered the 

* General Scott also employed a company of Mexican spies, who 
rendered important services in discovering the haunts of the guerilleros, 
and in conveying dispatches. 



300 AFFAIR AT THE NATIONAL BRIDGE. 

enemy in a narrow pass among the hills. An attempt 
was made to capture the wagons in the centre, but this 
was defeated, and the train closed up. Again advan- 
cing, they were attacked about half a mile further on, 
in the midst of a dense growth of cactus and wild 
thorn. The banditti were in a few moments discovered 
occupying the hills which flanked the road, and the 
Americans dashed into the thickets to drive them from 
their position. This was gallantly effected, and the 
command occupied the ground during the night. Be- 
lieving it unwise to proceed. Colonel Mcintosh dis- 
patched an express to General Cadwalader, then at 
Vera Cruz, apprizing him of the attack made on his 
command, and that his train had been considerably 
crippled, and requesting that he might be reinforced as 
soon as possible. In the morning of the 7th he advan- 
ced to Paso de Ovejas, a more favorable point for an 
encampment, beating off with little difficulty a second 
attack made during the march. In this affair Colonel 
Mcintosh lost twenty-four men in killed and wounded ; 
that of the enemy was not ascertained. 

General Cadwalader received the dispatch of Colonel 
Mcintosh on the 7th of June, and on the morning of 
the 8th was en route to reinforce him with about 500 
men, consisting of one company of the 3rd dragoons, 
one section of the howitzer battery from the voltigeur 
regiment, and a detachment of infantry. He arrived 
at the camp of Colonel Mcintosh on the 10th instant, 
and on the following afternoon the column resumed its 
march. Upon approaching the Puente Nacional, to- 
wards evening, they found the enemy in possession of 
the road. The bridge was barricaded, and they also 
occupied the fort on the left, commanding the road in 
its circuitous descent to the river, and the heights on 



THE PASS OF LA HOYA. 301 

the opposite bank, from which they had a raking fire 
upon the advancing columns, and which could only be 
reached by crossing the bridge. The Mexicans were 
first driven from the fort by the infantry ; the barricade 
was then breached by the howitzers, and a passage 
opened by one company of cavalry and two of infantry. 
The heights beyond were now carried, and the enemy 
scattered in confusion. The position was a formidable 
one, but the Mexicans were driven from it, with the 
loss of only thirty-two men. The assailants, however, 
were protected to some extent by the darkness ; other- 
wise their loss must have been more severe. The 
march was resumed on the 13th, and on the 15th they 
reached Jalapa, with no other annoyance than an oc- 
casional discharge of escopetas from the chaparral 
along the road. 

At Jalapa General Cadwalader was joined by Col- 
onel Childs,* with four companies of the 2nd dragoons, 
the 1st artillery, and the 2nd Pennsylvania. The com- 
mand left that city on the 18th instant, and on the 20th 
found the Mexicans posted in considerable force on the 
heights commanding the Pass of La Hoya, prepared to 
intercept their progress. Captain Winder, with four 
companies of the 1st artillery, supported by Major Dim- 
mick, with two additional companies of the same 
regiment, advanced against the enemy, and drove them 
precipitately from the hills. Here the routed guerille- 
ros were unexpectedly attacked in the rear by Captain 
Walker, with his company of mounted rifles, and the 
battalion of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Colonel Wyn- 

* Jalapa was abandoned by order of General Scott, who found him- 
Bclf unable to maintain any garrisons on his line of communications, 
other than those at Vera Cruz, Perote, and Puebla, where his hospitalg 
were established. 



S02 MARCH OF GENERAL PIERCE TO PUEBLA. 

koop. — The latter, on hearing of the approach of Gen- 
eral Cadwalader, had left Perote, with the companies 
of his regiment and Captain Walker's men, to aid in 
driving the guerilleros from the road. Early in the 
morning of the 20th, Captain Walker, in the advance, 
encountered nearly five hundred of the enemy at Las 
Vegas, whom he bravely attacked with his small com- 
mand of thirty men. Colonel Wynkoop coming up, 
the guerilleros were soon put to flight. — The two par- 
ties under General Cadwalader and Colonel Wynkoop, 
loining in the pursuit of the flying banditti, they were 
driven from hill to hill, nearly three miles, leaving be- 
hind them fifty of their number either dead or wounded. 

This was one of the severest blows received by the 
guerilleros during the war. The party which attacked 
General Cadwalader at La Hoya, was supposed to be 
about 700 strong, and was commanded by Father Ja- 
rauta, and two other priests, formerly Spanish Carlists, 
like himself. On reaching Las Vegas, General Cad- 
walader learned that it was the nursery and depot of 
the marauding parties infesting the road. Under his 
orders the town was laid in ashes, — the neat Catholic 
church in its centre alone being spared. 

While making preparations at Perote for the march 
to Puebla, General Cadwalader received an order by 
express from General Pillow, then coming up from the 
coast with 1,800 men, to await his arrival. The latter 
reached Perote on the 1st of July, and the united com- 
mand, now over 3,000 in number, moved on towards 
Puebla, where they arrived on the 8th instant, without 
further interruption. 

General Pierce left Vera Cruz on the 16th of July, 
with 2,500 men, of all arms, including a battalion of 
marines, under Lieutenant Colonel Watson, His col- 



ADVANCE OF THE ARMY. 303 

umn, with the wagon-train, was nearly two miles in 
length. On arriving near the National Bridge, he found 
it obstructed and defended, in the same manner as on 
the passage of the river by General Cadwalader ; but 
he was unable to place his artillery in a commanding 
position, and orders were therefore given to charge upon 
the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Bonham, of the 12th 
infantry, at the head of his battalion, rushed forward 
under a heavy fire from the enemy's escopetas, followed 
by Captain Duperu, with his company of the 3rd dra- 
goons, sword in hand. The men leaped over the bar- 
ricade upon the bridge, and in the space of ten minutes 
the guerilleros were flying in every direction. The 
command proceeded to the Rio del Plan, where they 
discovered that the main arch of the bridge had been 
blown up. Having crossed the river, General Pierce 
continued on his way to join General Scott. He was 
five times attacked by the guerilleros, including the 
rencontre at the Puente Nacional, but repulsed them 
on every occasion. 

On the approach of General Pierce with his rein- 
forcement, General P. F. Smith was sent out from 
Puebla to clear the road in front of the former, said to 
be obstructed by the enemy, with a considerable detach- 
ment. He succeeded in breaking up a large guerilla es- 
tablishment at San Juan de los Llaiios. General Pierce 
found the way opened before him, and arrived at Pu- 
ebla on the 6th of August. General Scott had already 
issued his orders for the advance to the Mexican cap- 
ital ; and on the 7th instant General Twiggs' division, 
preceded by the brigade of cavalry under Colonel Har- 
ney, took up the line of march for the far-famed halls 
of the Montezumas. The divisions of Generals Quit- 
man, Worth, and Pillow, followed, at intervals of one 



304 FORCE OF GENERAL SCOTT. 

day.* Colonel Childs remained at Puebla, as civil and 
military governor, with a garrison of about 1,400 men, 
consisting of detachments from different regiments. 

* The total rank and file of the army which marched to the capital 
under General Scott, was 10,738. The cavalry brigade under Colonel 
Harney, consisted of detachments of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dragoons, 
commanded respectively by Captain Kearny, Major Sumner, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Moore, and a volunteer company in command of Cap- 
tain McKinstry of the quartermaster's department. The first division 
was commanded by General Vv'orth ; the first brigade, under Colonel 
Garland, consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Duncan's light battery, the 
2nd artillery, Major'Galt, 3rd artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Belton, and 
4th infantry. Major Lee ; and the second brigade, under Colonel Clarke, 
consisting of the 5th infantry. Colonel Mcintosh, 6th infantry, Major 
Bonneville, and 8th infantry, Major Waite. The siege train, under 
Captain Hugerof the ordnance, was attached to Worth's division. The 
second division was commanded by General Twiggs ; the first brigade, 
under General P. F. Smith, consisting of the rifle regiment. Major Lor- 
ing, the 1st artillery, Major Dimmick. 3rd infantry. Captain Alexander, 
and Captain Taylor's light battery ; and the second brigade, under Col 
oncl Rile}', consisting of the 4th artillery, Major Gardner, 2nd infantry, 
Captain Morris, and 7th infantry. Lieutenant Colonel Plympton. The 
company of sappers and miners, under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, was 
attached to Twiggs' division. The third division was commanded by 
General Pillow; the first brigade, under General Pierce, consisting of 
the 9th infantry. Colonel Ransom, 12th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel 
Bonham, and 15th infantry, Colonel Morgan; and the second brigade, 
under General Cadwaiader, consisting of the voltigeuers,with the moun- 
tain howitzer and rocket battery. Colonel Andrews, 11th infantry, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Graham, and 14th infantry, Colonel Trousdale. Cap- 
tain Magruder's light battery was also attached to this division. The 
fourth division was commanded by General Quitman, and consisted 
of the South Carolina regiment. Colonel Butler, and the New York vol- 
unteers. Colonel Burnett, forming the brigade of General Shields, with 
the 2nd Pennsylvania, Colonel Roberts, the battalion of marines, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Watson, and Captain Steptoe's battery. 



CHAPTER X. 



DONIPHAN S MARCH. 



The Missouri Volunteers — Expedition against the Navajos — Orders to 
join General Wool — La Jornada del Muerto — Skirmish at Bracito — 
El Paso del Norte — Fortifications of the Enemy at the Pass of Sacra- 
mento — The Battle — Flight of the Mexicans — Entrance into the City 
of Chihuahua— March to Monterey — Return Home. 

While the more important military operations which 
have been narrated, were being carried on in other 
quarters of the country, there occurred, in northern 
Mexico, one of those extraordinary achievements which 
are rarely undertaken, and which, when accomplished, 
always challenge admiration, A mere handful of men, 
— a volunteer force less than one thousand strong — 
commanded by a bold, fearless, and energetic officer, 
performed an arduous and fatiguing march of many 
thousand miles, through a hostile country, chastising or 
awing the savage tribes which infested their route into 
submission ; encountering the enemy, in superior num- 
bers, on two several occasions, and routing them with 
the utmost ease and facility. All this was done with 
comparatively little loss ; and when the term of their 
enlistments expired, these soldiers returned to their dis- 
tant homes, leaving behind them but very few of their 
comrades who had been overtaken by sickness, or fallen 
in battle, or 

" tired on the marches 
Of the war-path, long and drear 1" 



dT' 



^-^ 



306 EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAVAJ03. 

Among the pledges and assurances given by General 
Kearny to the inhabitants of New Mexico, in order 
to render them better satisfied with the new form of 
government which he established, prior to his depar- 
ture for California in the fall of 1846, was a guarantee 
of protection against the Indians in their vicinity. The 
Apaches, as we have seen, were temporarily quieted ; 
and while on his way to the Pacific coast, the general 
issued an order at La Joya, in October, requiring Col- 
onel Doniphan, of the first Missouri mounted volunteers, 
then at Santa Fe, but previously instructed to report to 
General Wool at Chihuahua, to make a campaign with 
his regiment into the country inhabited by the Navajo 
Indians. This was one of the fiercest and most im- 
placable tribes west of the Mississippi, occupying the 
greater part of the territory between the waters of the 
Rio Grande and those of the Rio Colorado of the West, 
and its warriors had long been " the terror and scourge" 
of the northern provinces of Mexico. 

Colonel Doniphan left Santa Fe on the 26th of Octo- 
ber, and having divided his command into separate de- 
tachments, invaded the Navajo country by three routes. 
This expedition was attempted late in the season, and 
was not brought to a close until the troops had suffered 
severely from the intense cold of winter. Their daily 
march was through drifts of snow which blocked 
up the valleys, and across mountains covered with ice. 
Every portion of the Indian territory was visited, and 
near three-fourths of the tribe, though almost entire 
strangers to the American name, were collected at the 
Ojo Oso, where a permanent treaty was made with 
them. The object of the expedition being attained, 
Colonel Doniphan returned to the Rio Grande, near 
Socorro, on the 12th of December. He then crossed 



MARCH TO JOIN GENERAL WOOL. 307 

over to Valvervede, and on the 14th instant, in obedi- 
ence to the order directing him to report to General 
Woo], then supposed to be at Chihuahua, the advance, 
under Major Gilpin, took up the hne of march down 
the left bank of the river. Lieutenant Colonel Jack- 
son followed on the 16th, with another detachment. 
While Colonel Doniphan was engaged in bringing the 
Navajos to terms, Colonel Price, of the 2nd Missouri 
regiment, the commanding officer at Santa Fe, dis- 
patched Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, with an escort of 
95 men, selected from his i-egiment, and from the bat- 
talion of Missouri volunteer artillery, under Major 
Clark, to open a communication with General Wool. 
The detachment left Santa Fe on the 1st of December, 
and came up with Colonel Doniphan at Valvervede, on 
the 17th instant. On the following day they proceeded 
in company with him, and the remainder of the 1st 
Missouri, upon the route previously taken by the other 
portions of his command. Before leaving Valvei'vede, 
Colonel Doniphan was informed that the Mexicans were 
collecting a force at EI Paso del Norte, to intercept his 
march, and an order was therefore sent to Major Clark, 
of the artillery battalion at Santa Fe, to join him at the 
earliest moment with 100 men, and a battery of four 
six-pounders, and two twelve-pounder howitzers.* 

A few miles south of Fra Christobal, the road to Chi- ■ 
huahua, instead of following the windings of the river, 
pursues a direct course from one bend to another, over 
a dry plain between seventy and eighty miles in length, 
completely destitute of water, except immediately after 

* Colonel Doniphan's force numbered 856 effective men, all armed 
with rifles ; but, at this time, he had no artillery. The twelve-pounder 
howitzers ordered from Santa Fe were coastructed expressly for field 
prairie service. 



308 LA JORNADA DEL MUERTO. 

a shower of rain, and frequently intersected by broad 
gulfy ravines. Few zephyrs love to sport among the 
tussocks of grass which cover this arid stretch of coun- 
try ; the dark close-set leaves of the grease-wood hang 
droopingly from their stems ; the tufts of the wild sage 
seem parched with heat; occasionally a pile of stones 
surmounted by a cross, the rude memorial reared above 
the grave of the wayfarer who perished on his journey, 
meets the eye of the traveller ; but all is still, solemn, 
voiceless as the tomb. Most appropriately has the Mex- 
ican termed the passage over this dreary waste, La Jor- 
nada del Muerto* In their progress to the south, the 
Americans often crossed similar tracts, though less ex- 
tensive — they were poorly provided with sustenance 
and raiment, but their hardships and privations were 
submitted to without murmuring or complaint. 

The different detachments of Colonel Doniphan's 
command were concentrated at Dofia Ana, sixty miles 
from El Paso, and they were now also joined by a num- 
ber of traders with over 300 wagons, who had left 
Santa Fe in September, but had become too much 
alarmed to proceed on their route. Here intelligence 
was received that seven hundred Mexican troops and 

* " This dry stretch of road is called La Jornada del Miu:rlo, or, The 
{days') Journey of Death. Although the word Joj-nada only means a 
days' journey, yet, from this day forward, our men called every long 
dry extent of road, a Jornada. In passing through the country, if you 
ask a peasant how far it is from one place to another, he will tell you 
so many jornadas (pronounced hornarthars), meaning, that to encamp 
at water each night, it will take so many days to travel it. But, as they 
always estimate road by the time it takes a pack-mule to go over it, you 
must allow accordingly. This long piece of road, La Jornada del Mu- 
erto, obtained its name from the circumstance of a Mexican having at- 
tempted to cross it in a day, and from his not being provided with water 
or food, having perished on the road." — Edwards' Campaign in Ne^^ 
Mexico. 



SKIRMISH AT BRACITO. 309 

six pieces of artillery had arrived at El Paso. The 
column moved forward on the 23rd of December, pre- 
senting quite a picturesque appearance as they wound 
their way across valley and plain ; the soldiers all 
mounted and well armed, and the white cotton tilts of 
the Conestogas, as the traders' wagons were styled, 
gleaming brightly in the sunlight. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon of Christmas 
day. Colonel Doniphan had halted, with the advance of 
500 men, at Temascalitos, on an arm of the river called 
Bracito, for the purpose of camping ; the horses were 
unsaddled and sent some distance from the camp to 
graze, and the men were soon busily engaged in carry- 
ing wood and water. While thus employed, a heavy 
cloud of dust was suddenly discovered rolling Up from 
the south, and in a moment after the advance guard 
descried the enemy approaching in force. Lieutenant 
Colonel Jackson was still several miles in the rear with 
the remainder of the troops. The rally was instantly 
sounded, and Colonel Doniphan formed his men in open 
order on foot as skirmishers, throwing the extreme 
points of the two wings towards the river, to protect 
his flanks and baggage. The Americans were some- 
what taken by surprise, but a few moments sufficed to 
complete their dispositions. The enemy halted within 
half a mile, and formed in line of battle — the Vera 
Cruz lancers on the right, the Chihuahua battalion on 
the left, and the infantry and militia, with a two-poun- 
der howitzer, in the centre. The Mexican cavalry 
were gayly decorated with bright scarlet coats and 
white belts, with shining brass helmets and dark waving 
plumes, and their polished sabres and escopetas, and 
their long lances, ornamented with pennons of red and 
green, glistened in the rays of the evening sun. 



310 DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 

Just as the Americans were forming, a Mexican offi- 
cer, bearing a black flag, rode up to their line, and de- 
manded that their commander should accompany him 
to confer with the officer in command of the enemy. 
Notwithstanding his declaration, that the penalty of a 
non-compliance with the demand would be a charge, 
without quaHer, he received a peremptory refusal, and 
returned to those who sent him.* Upon his return the 
enemy advanced to the charge, opening a simultaneous 
fire from their whole line. When within rifle-shot the 
Mexicans attempted to file to the right and left, and 
pass the flanks of the opposing force : Colonel Doni- 
phan's men had so far reserved their fire, but they now 
opened upon the enemy from right to left, with such 
spirit and effect, that they were immediately thrown 
into confusion. Captain Reid had succeeded in mount- 
ing about twenty men, and as the lancers were rallied 
to the charge on the American left, he fell furiously 
upon them with his small force, and after a desperate 
contest, which continued about twenty minutes, suc- 
ceeded in putting them to flight. As the enemy's in- 
fantry gave way, Lieutenant Wright charged upon 
them with his company, and captured the howitzer. 
This completed the overthrow of the enemy, and they 
fled on all sides to the contiguous mountains. 

The Mexican force in the affair at the Bracito, num- 
bered 1,220. Of this number 537 were cavalry, and the 
remainder infantry. A portion of the latter consisted 

* " Before we had fully formed, they sent a lieutenant near our lines 
with a black flag, with a demand that the commander of our forces 
should go to their lines and confer with their commander ; declaring, 
at the same time, unless it was complied with, they would charge and 
take him, and neither ask nor give quarters:. The reply was more abrupt 
than decorous — to charge and be d — d." — Official report of Colonel 
Doniphan, dated March 4th, 1817. 



EL PASO DEL NORTE. 311 

of militia from El Paso. The advance only of Colonel 
Doniphan's command were engaged, as Lieutenant Col- 
onel Jackson did not arrive from the rear until after the 
action had terminated. The enemy lost forty-three 
killed and one hundred and fifty wounded. Colonel 
Doniphan had but seven men wounded, all of whom re- 
covered, and none killed. Besides the howitzer, there 
were also captured a number of carbines, and a quan- 
tity of provisions. 

The Americans anticipated having another encounter 
with the enemy before entering El Paso, and were ac- 
cordingly on the alert. On the night of the 26th they 
encamped within a short distance of the city, and en- 
tered it on the ensuing day without opposition. This 
town is situated on the right bank of the Rio Grande, 
three hundred and ten miles below Santa Fe, and was 
founded by a body of Spanish refugees, driven from the 
latter place by the Indians in 1680, who crossed the 
river at this point in order to elude pursuit, from which 
circumstance the name is derived. El Paso contains 
about five thousand inhabitants, and there is a large 
population in the rich valley extending above and be- 
low the town. When Colonel Doniphan visited it with 
his troops, the vineyards were in " the sere and yellow 
leaf," yet they afforded the promise of an abundant 
harvest. Most of the Pasenians retired on the ap- 
proach of the Americans, but they shortly after returned 
to their homes. Those who remained manifested feel- 
ings of friendship ; and when the soldiers marched 
through the streets, baskets of most luscious fruit, the 
produce of the past season, were forced upon their ac- 
ceptance. 

On his arrival at El Paso, Colonel Doniphan learned 
from the prisoners taken, and from other sources, that 



312 ADVANCE TOWARDS CHIHUAHUA. 

General Wool had not advanced upon Chihuahua. In 
this condition of things, a forward movement was 
deemed extremely hazardous, but he resolved to under- 
take it as soon as he was joined by the artillery. Major 
Clark arrived at El Paso on the 5th of February, 1847, 
with about 120 men of his battalion, and the six pieces 
of artillery ordered from Santa Fe ; and on the 8th 
instant, Colonel Doniphan proceeded on the road to 
Chihuahua, escorting the merchant train or caravan 
which had accompanied him from Doiia Ana.* A few 
miles below El Paso is the Presidio de San Elecario, 
originally a strong fortification, covering nearly eight 
acres of ground, and containing a neat church within 
its walls. This was not occupied by the enemy, and 
the only instrument of war found in it was a stone mor- 
tar, which the Americans took with them. They left 
"San Elecario on the 11th of February, and after cross- 
ing several desolate and tedious jornadas, they arrived 
at the Laguna de Encenillas, a shallow brackish lake, 
two hundred and seven miles below El Paso, and 
seventy-four miles from Chihuahua, in the afternoon of 
the 25th instant. Rumors that the enemy were in force 
upon the road had previously reached them, and they 
were now informed by their spies that a body of troops 
were at Inseneas, the country-seat of Angel Trias, 
Governor of Chihuahua, about twenty-five miles in ad- 
vance. They arrived there on the following day, when 
they found that the enemy had retired. On the 27th 
they reached Sauz, where they learned that the Mex- 
icans had fortified the pass of Sacramento, twenty 
miles north of the city of Chihuahua. 

The approach of the American troops had been for a 
long time anticipated by the authorities of Chihuahua, 

* The force under Colonel Doniphan now consisted of 924 men. 



THE PASS OF SACRAMENTO. 313 

and preparations were made to obstruct their advance 
by Governor Trias, and General Jose Heredia, the 
commandant general of the district.* At a meeting 
of the legislature of the department, the governor pre- 
siding, it was decided that when Doniphan's men should 
be taken, they were to be stripped of their money and 
arms, and sent on foot to the city of Mexico ; and a 
quantity of cord was cut in suitable lengths for tying 
the prisoners, Vvhich was afterwards captured at the 
battle of Sacramento. General Heredia, with Generals 
Justiniani, Garcia Conde, and Ugarte and Governor 
Trias, who acted as a brigadier general, advanced to the 
pass of Sacramento about the middle of February, with 
near 4,000 troops, regulars and militia, ten pieces of 
field artillery, and six culverins, or rampart pieces. f 
The position was skilfully and strongly fortified, under 
the direction of General Conde, who was afterwards 
detached with 800 cavalry to observe the Americans, 
and on the approach of Colonel Doniphan fell back to 
the main body. 

The road from Sauz to the rancho of Sacramento, 
in front of vvhich the enemy had fortified themselves, 
follows the course of an open level valley, bounded on 
either side by ranges of sterile n-ountains. About sevei: 

* General Cuilte was posted at San Rosalia, in December 184G, to in- 
tercept General Wool ; but the post was abandoned when it was ascer- 
tained tliat he had taken another route. 

t According to General Heredia's official report, dated March 2nd, 
1847, he had but 1,57.") men, and ten pieces of artillery. In this esti- 
mate he could not have inclutled all the mihtia and rancheros who were 
present at the battle, and the Americans certainly captured more than 
that number of guns, including the culverins. Colonel Doniphan, in 
his report, dated March 4th, says that " the force of the enemy was 1,200 
cavalry from Durango and Chihuahua, with tiie Vera Cruz dragoons, 
1,200 infantry from Chihuahua, 300 artillerists, and 1,420 rancheros, 
badly armed with lassoes, lances, and machetoes, or corn knives." 

14 



314 FORTIFICATIONS. 

miles from the Rio Sacramento, a branch of the Rio 
Conjos, one of the tributaries of the Rio Grande, the 
country begins to slope gently down to that stream. 
The position occupied by the Mexicans was upon an 
elevated plain, in the centre of a peninsula formed by 
the Arroyo Seco and Arroyo Sacramento, the two prin- 
cipal branches of the Rio Sacramento, which have their 
rise in the mountains on the right of the valley, at this 
point nearly four miles wide, and cross it in an easterly 
direction nearly parallel to each other. The Arroyo 
Seco, on the north, inclines to the south when it reaches 
the eastern range of mountains, and, uniting with the 
Arroyo Sacramento, they together form the main river. 
The road to Chihuahua crosses this peninsula from north 
to south ; on its left the plain rises abruptly in a bench, 
fifty feet high, sloping upwards from every side towards 
the north-east corner, where it culminates in a rocky 
knoll called the Cerro Frigolis, one hundred and fifty 
feet above the plain; but on the right it is smooth and 
unbroken, descending gradually from the hilly bench, 
along the base of which the road passes. On the 
southern bank of the Arroyo Sacramento there is a 
range of sierras, separated by deep gullies, and forming 
right angles with the co'U'se of the stream. The east- 
ernmost ridge is the Cerro Sacramento, which rises on 
the right of the road, just in rear of the rancho Sacra- 
mento. Below the Cerro Sacramento on the east is the 
valley of the Rio Sacramento, about one mile wide, 
through which winds the road to Chihuahua. 

Upon the Cerro Frigolis, w^as a redoubt and battery, 
with a stonewall, and abattis in its rear, extending across 
the bed of the Arroyo Seco to the mountains on the op- 
posite bank. Seven hundred yards west of the Cerro 
Frigolis there was another redoubt. There was a re- 



APPROACH OF THE AMERICANS. 315 

doubt also at the north-west corner, and one at the 
south-west corner of the bench on the left of the road, 
with three other redoubts at intervals between them. 
Near the ford of the Arroyo Sacramento was a stone 
caral, or inclosure, surrounding a spring. The caral 
and the redoubts were all connected, with the excep- 
tion of short intervals, by breastworks of stone and 
trenches for the protection of infantry, thus forming an 
unbroken line of fortifications, overlooking and com- 
manding the gorge of the Arroyo Seco, and the road 
across the peninsula throughout its whole extent. On 
the Cerro Sacramento there was a strong battery, which 
commanded the road as it approached the ford below it. 
About three miles west of the ford, on the Arroyo Sa- 
cramento, was the hacienda of Torreon, from which 
another road led through a caiion in the mountains to 
the main route to Chihuahua. 

Colonel Doniphan left Sauz with his command at sun- 
rise, on the 28th of February. The teamsters were 
armed, and placed under the orders of Major Owens, one 
of the traders, under whose direction the wagons were 
arranged in four parallel lines, with intervals of fifty 
feet. The artillery marched in the interval of the 
centre ; and the remainder of the troops, except two 
hundred cavalry proper, who were in the advance, 
marched in the intervals on the right and left. By this 
means the strength of the force was concealed, and its 
position masked.* On arriving within three miles of 
the enemy's fortifications, a reconnaissance was made 
by Major Clark, who discovered that the Mexican in- 
fantry occupied the batteries and redoubts, and that the 
cavalry were drawn up in front. The column now con- 

* Another object of this arrangement was, to have the wagons serve 
as a breastwork to the troops in case of an attack. 



316 STORMING THE INTRENCHMENTS. 

tinued its course along the road about a mile and a half, 
and the cavalry still further, when they suddenly di- 
verged to the right, fcr the purpose of gaining the level 
portion of the plain fronting the position of the Mexi- 
cans on the west. The movement was soon perceived 
by the enemy, and General Conde advanced with a 
body of cavalry, masking four pieces of artillery, to 
prevent the Americans from gaining the elevation. 
The manoeuvre was executed too rapidly to render that 
possible, and Colonel Doniphan formed his men, and the 
advance column of the wagons was caralled before the 
enemy came within reach of his guns. 

The Americans were all dismounted, except three 
companies, under Captains Reid, Parsons, and Hudson. 
Major Clark occupied the centre with his artillery ; the 
first battalion on the right was commanded by Lieuten- 
ant Colonels Mitchell and Jackson, and the second bat- 
talion, on the left, by Major Gilpin. The action was 
commenced about three o'clock in the afternoon by a 
brisk fire from the American battery, which was re- 
turned by the enemy. At the third discharge the Mex- 
ican lancers gave way, and retired behind the redoubts 
with their artillery, having lost several men killed and 
a number wounded. Anxious to improve the advan- 
tage gained, Colonel Doniphan ordered a charge upon 
the enemy's line of intrenchments and batteries. At 
the word, his men sprang forward with cheers and 
shouts. Captain Weightman advanced with the how- 
itzers at full speed,* upon the redoubts at the south- 

* A statement has been extensively circulated by the public press, to 
the effe-t that the American artillery at the battle of Sacramento was 
drawn by oxen. This is entirely erroneous. Four ofthe carriages were 
drawn by American horses, and the remaining carriages and caissons 
by mules obtained in the csuntry. — Official report of Major Clark, March 
2nd, 1847. 



FLIGHT OF THE MEXICANS. 317 

west corner of the bench, supported by the cavalry 
under Captains Reid, Parsons, and Hudson ; Major 
Clark followed the movement as fast as practicable a 
little further to the left ; and the remainder of the troops 
dashed rapidly forward on foot. While they were ad- 
vancing, the enemy's cavalry were twice rallied for a 
charge upon the left flank of the wagons following in 
the rear of the American line, but they were easily dis- 
persed by the fire of Major Clark's guns. Captain 
Weightman unlimbered his pieces within fifty yards of 
the redoubts, and the cavalry and infantry rushing boldly 
up to the breastworks, drove the enemy before them 
with their sabres and rifles. 

As the Americans entered the line of intrenchments 
east of the road, a warmer and more effective fire was 
opened from the battery on the height of Cerro Sacra- 
mento, which had been constantly playing upon them, 
and where a large body of Mexicans had now rallied. 
Major Clark pi'omptly placed his pieces in position, in 
the redoubt at the south-west corner of the bench, 
twelve hundred yards distant, and in a short time si- 
lenced the enemy's guns. Meanwhile Lieutenant Col- 
onels Mitchell and Jackson, with the first battalion 
remounted, and Captain Weightman's howitzers, had 
bravely charged up the hill, followed by Major Gilpin 
with the second battalion on foot. Before they reached 
the battery the enemy had abandoned it, and their en- 
tire force was scattered in flight. The cavalry and the 
howitzers immediately pushed forward in hot pursuit. 
The road was strewed with the arms and accoutre- 
ments which the Mexican soldiers had thrown down as 
they hurried towards Chihuahua. Governor Trias was 
among the first to reach the city, and the seat of gov- 
ernment was instantly ordered to be removed to ParraL 



318 CAPTURE OF CHIHUAHUA. 

Night put an end to the carnage. The enemy lost all 
their artillery, ten wagons, and large quantities of pro- 
visions ; they had three hundred killed, about the same 
number wounded, and there were forty taken prisoners. 
Several national and regimental standards were also 
captured, and among the colors was the black flag ex- 
hibited at the Bracito. Colonel Doniphan had but one 
man killed, and eight wounded, some of them mortally.* 

The way was now opened to Chihuahua, and on the 
1st of March Colonel Doniphan took formal possession 
of it in the name of his government. This city was 
the residence of the Captains-general of the internal 
provinces, under the vice-regal government of Spain, 
and is pleasantly situated on a branch of the Rio Con- 
jos, in the centre of the rich mining district in northern 
Mexico. It contains about thirty thousand inhabitants, 
and is surrounded by a fertile country, disfigured but 
slightly by occasional piles of scoriae and basaltes. On 
entering, the town the American soldiers took up their 
quarters in the Plaza de Toros, in front of which was 
the Alameda. Here, in the enjoyment of the luxuries 
and hospitalities which almost caused them to forget the 
hardships they had endured, they remained for several 
weeks, without the occurrence of any incident of ex- 
traordinary moment. 

On the 5th of April the artillery, and one battalion 
of the 1st Missouri, were ordered to proceed to Parral, 
where Governor Trias had established his government ; 
but, on the third day out, the detachment learned that 
his excellency had again fled in alarm, and they there- 
fore returned to head -quarters. Colonel Doniphan was 
not desirous of remaining any longer as a wagon guard 

* Major Owens accompanied Captain Reid in the charge, and was 
killed in storming the enemy's redoubts. 



ROUTE TO MONTEREY. 319 

for the traders, and he saw that his men would eventu- 
ally be ruined by improper indulgences if they remained 
at Chihuahua. Most of his officers preferred staying 
in that city ; but he determined to send a party of twelve 
men to General Taylor for orders.* They returned, on 
the 24th instant, with instructions to join the latter forth- 
with, by the way of Parras, Buena Yista, and Saltillo. 
Preceded by Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell with his 
escort, the Americans left Chihuahua on the 25th of 
April, 1847, still accompanied by the traders. Again 
traversing the weary jornadas on their route, and pass- 
ing through the dismal muskeet forests of Mapimi, they 
arrived at the rancho of El Paso, four hundred and 
nine miles from Chihuahua, and two hundred and seven 
miles from Monterey, on the 13th of May. Near this 
place a most gallant exploit was performed by Captain 
Reid, and a party of officers and men, about twenty- 
five in number, belonging to Colonel Doniphan's com- 
mand. At the request of the owner of the rancho, who 
furnished the party with horses, they attacked a band 
of sixty Lipan warriors, a branch of the Camanches, 

* " While we were in the city, [Chihuahua] a council of war was 
called. We had expected to have here met and joined General Wool ; 
however, we had done our work without him ; but what course were 
we now to take "? for there was danger at all points ! A few of the offi- 
cers proposed staying in Chihuahua, others were for trying to join Gen- 
eral Taylor, and some suggested a retrograde march to Santa Pe ; most, 
however, were in favor of pressing home by way of Monterey. No ul- 
timate decision was at that time had ; but a short time afterwards, an- 
other council was held, and, at this time, most of the officers were for re- 
maining in quarters. Doniphan heard them for some time, but with im- 
patience, and at last, bringing his heavy fist down on the table, he gave 
the board to understand that, they might possibly have found fair reasons 
for staying ; ' But, gentlemen,' added the Colonel, ' Fm for going Iwme 
to iiarali and the children !' The reader may be assured that we caught 
up these words, and often afterwards spoke of going home to Sarah and 
the children." — Edwards' Campaign in New Mexico. 



320 RETURN HOME. 

who had been prowling for several clays in the vicinity, 
killed a number of the savages, rescued eighteen Mex- 
ican captives, and recaptured considerable plundered 
property. This act did not go unrewarded, — the pro- 
prietor of El Paso presented each one of the party with 
the horse which he had rode, and the prefect of the de- 
partment of Parras gave Captain Reid an official ac- 
knowledgment of the gratitude and thanks of his fellow 
citizens. 

In the tattered uniforms which they had worn from 
St. Louis and Fort Leavenworth, Colonel Doniphan 
and his men presented themselves before General Tay- 
lor, in his encampment at Walnut Springs, on the 26th 
of May. They were very desirous of seeing a little 
more service under his immediate command, but he was 
unable to gratif}^ their wishes.* Leaving the artillery 
which they had brought from Santa Fe, and taking with 
them the captured guns, they marched to the Brazos, 
where they embarked for New Orleans. At this city 
they were mustered out of service, and returned to 
their homes in Missouri ; having travelled, during their 
absence, more than five thousand miles ; nearly two 
thousand miles more than the famous march of Xeno- 
phon and the Greeks in their retreat from Asia, the 
record of which, written by the same skilful hand which 
pointed out the route, has survived the ravages of so 
many centuries. 

* The sobriquet of Rough and Ready' has long been familiarly given 
to General Taylor. Colonel Doniphan's men thought they could make 
the alliteration more complete, by applying it, with a trifling addition, to 
themselves ; for they might justly be considered, Rough, Ready, and 
Ra^f'ed! 



CHAPTER XI. 

REVOLT IN NEW MEXICO. 

Disaffection among the inhabitants of New Mexico — Murder of Gover- 
nor Bent and others — March of Colonel Price — Defeat of the enemy 
at Caiiada — Affair at Moro — The Pass of Embudo — Storming of Pu- 
ebla de Taos — Suppression of the Revolt — Depredations in the valley 
of the Moro — Skirmishes with the Marauders— Quiet restored in the 
Province. 

Santa Fe came very near proving a Capua to the 
American soldiers. Colonel Price,* of the 2nd Mis- 
souri mounted volunteers, who remained in command 
of the troops in that quarter, does not appear to have 
been a martinet in discipline, although he certainly dis- 
played both ability and energy as an officer in the field. 
Relaxation and excess were more frequently witnessed 
than subordination and good order, and the wholesome 
restraints imposed by General Kearny were, one by 
one, disregarded. During the fall of 1846, and the en- 
suing winter, the soldiers were employed in the con- 
struction of a fort on a high hill commanding the town 
and the surrounding country, which was named Fort 
Marcy, in honor of the head of the War Department. 
There was a great deal of leisure time,however, neither 
wisely nor profitably spent ; and many of them fell vic- 
tims to diseases engendered by unreasonable indul- 
gences, and the unfriendliness of the climate. 

* Colonel Price was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers, July 
20th, 1847. 

14* 



MURDER OF GOVEUNOR BENT. 

Frequent altercations occurred between the Mexican 
inhabitants and the soldiers ; the former were naturally 
jealous of foreign interference ; many of the disbanded 
troops of Governor Armijo lingered in the vicinity of 
Santa Fe, in readiness for employment, if an opportu- 
nity was presented ; the civil officers who had been dis- 
placed, viewed their successors, appointed under the 
newly-established government,- with emotions of hatred 
and ill will ; the Puebla Indians were violently hostile 
to the Americans ; and the most prominent and influ- 
ential citizens in the province labored to foment the 
disaffection rapidly gaining ground. About the' 15th 
of December, Colonel Price was informed that an in- 
surrectionary movement was in contemplation. Sev- 
eral persons supposed to be implicated were arrested, 
and an investigation was had, in the course of which 
it appeared that a plan had been formed for a general 
rising on Christmas eve. The principal leaders in the 
affair, Ortiz and Archuleta, escaped in the direction of 
Chihuahua,* the project was further frustrated by the 
arrests which had been made, and in a few days the' 
alarm entirely subsided. 

Subsequent events showed that the revolt was not 
effectually suppressed. On the 14th of January, 1847, 
Governor Bent left Santa Fe for San Fernando de Taos, 
accompanied by a number of civil officers. In the night 
of the 19th instant, the governor, the sheriff, the dis- 
trict attorney, and three other persons, were seized by 
a band of Mexicans and Puebla Indians, and put to 
death in the most inhuman manner.f On the same day 

* The individuals concerned in the revolt in New Mexico anticipated 
aid from Chihuahua, but the defeat of the Mexican force at Bracito, by 
Colonel Doniphan, prevented their receiving any assistance. 

•j- It is suggested, in Edwards' Campaign in New Mexico, (p. 103,) 



THE INSURRECTION. 323 

seven Americans were murdered at Arroyo Hondo, 
eight miles from Taos, in the valley of the Moro, and 
two others on the Rio Colorado ; and on the 20th in- 
stant, eight or nine persons were killed at the upper 
Moro. The leaders of the insurrection were Tafoya, 
Pablo Chavis, Pablo Montoya, Cortes and Tomas, a 
Puebla Indian ; and their main object seemed to be, to 
cut off every American and Mexican who had accepted 
office under the new government. This movement was 
confined to the northern part of New Mexico, but the 
disaffected from other quarters, to some extent, partici- 
pated in it. Intelligence of the murders committed by 
the revolters reached Santa Fe on the 20lh of January, 
and circulars were also intercepted, written by them, 
calling upon the inhabitants along the Rio Abajo for 
aid. All the towns in the valley of the Moro declared 
in favor of the insurrection, except Qucoloti and Las 
Vegas — an attempt to excite the population of the latter 
being defeated by the timely presence of Captain Hend- 
ley, of Lieutenant Colonel Willock's battalion, with a 
portion of his grazing detachment. It was now ascer- 
tained that the enemy designed to advance upon the 
capital of the province, as soon as they had concen- 
trated their forces, which were coming together as fast 
as possible. The garrison of Santa Fe was consider- 
ably reduced, in consequence of a number of the 
mounted men having been sent off in different direc- 

thnt the murder of Governor Bent was instigated entirely by his wife, 
a Spanish woman, from whom he had for some time been separated, and 
who was concerned in the insurrectionary movement. She may have 
connected herself with the revolt, for the purpose of gratifying her pri- 
vate malice ; yet it is hardly to be supposed, that the head of the govern- 
ment would have been overloooked, when so many were murdered who 
occupied subordinate stations. Nor is it at all probable, that they were 
put to death, because of their temporary association with him. 



324 MARCH OF COLONEL PRICE. 

tions to graze their horses ; but Colonel Price immedi- 
ately dispatched orders to Major Edmonson, at Albu- 
querque, to return to head-quarters with the detachment 
of the '2nd Missouri under his command, and to Cap- 
tain Burgwin, commanding a squadron of the 1st reg 
ular dragoons, stationed at the same place, to join him 
with one troop, and to leave the other at Santa Fe. 
Having made these preparations for securing the post, 
and leaving Lieutenant Colonel Willock,of the separate 
battalion of Missouri mounted volunteers, in charge, 
Colonel Price marched to the north to suppress the re- 
volt, on the morning of the 23rd of January, at the head 
of five companies of the 2nd Missouri, Captain Ang- 
ney's battalion of infantry, and a company of Santa F6 
volunteers commanded by Captain St. Vrain, in all 353 
men, together with four twelve-pounder mountain how- 
itzers, under Lieutenant Dyer of the ordnance. 

The company under Captain St. Vrain, who were 
alone mounted, moved in the advance, and early in the 
afternoon of the 24th instant the enemy were discovered, 
about 1,500 strong, occupying an advantageous position 
upon the heights east of the town of Canada, situated 
on a small branch of the Rio Grande, which commanded 
the road to that place. They were also in possession 
of three houses at the bases of the hills, from which a 
warm fire was kept up. The howitzers were at once 
pushed forward on the left flank beyond the creek, and 
opened on the houses, while the dismounted men en- 
deavored to gain a position where they would be shel- 
tered by the high bluff" bank of the stream from the fire 
of the Mexican force. The troops had advanced with 
so much rapidity, when the word was passed that the 
«nemy were in front, that the wagon-train was left 
aearly a mile in the rear. Upon discovering this, the 



DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY AT CANADA. 325 

enemy detached a party to cut it off, but the manoeuvre 
was quickly checked by Captain St. Vrain, with his 
company, ^hen the train came up, Captain Angney 
dislodged the Mexicans from the house opposite the 
right flank with his battalion of infantry, and a general 
charge was then ordered. Captain Angney, supported 
by two companies of the 2nd Missouri, moved up one 
hill, and at the same time Captain St. Vrain was ordered 
to fetch a circuit with the horse, and turn it, in order to 
intercept the retreat of the enemy. The artillery, sup- 
ported by the remaining three companies of the 2nd 
Missouri, took possession of some houses further to the 
left, inclosed by a strong caral densely wooded with 
fruit-trees, and of the heights beyond them.. In a very 
few minutes the enemy were dislodged at all points, and 
flying over the hills. 

The broken character of the ground rendered a pur- 
suit impossible, and Colonel Price took up his quarters 
in the town. In the morning the enemy again showed 
themselves on the distant heights, and he marched out 
to attack them, but they retreated so hastily that they 
could not be overtaken. The American loss in the 
affair at Canada was two killed and six wounded ; that 
of the enemy, was thirty-six killed and forty-five 
wounded. 

Although the attempted outbreak at Las Vegas, 
seventy-five miles north of Santa Fe, on the road to 
Independence, was prevented by the prompt interfer- 
ence of Captain Hendley, he thought it advisable to 
concentrate his force at that point, and the various par- 
ties of his grazing detachment were ordered to join him 
forthwith. On the 23rd of January he learned the par- 
ticulars of the murderous transaction at Moro on the 
20th instant, and in the morning of the following day 



326 THE PASS OF EMBUDO. 

he started for that place with 80 men. One hundred 
and fifty or two hundred of the enemy had assembled 
here under the lead of Cortes, and on ap^proaching the 
town Captain Hendley ordered his men to charge upon 
them. The Mexicans fired two. or three volleys, and 
retreated to their rude fort. The Americans returned 
their fire for some time, and then commenced burning 
and tearing down the houses. Captain Hendley had 
just succeeded in getting into one end of the fort with 
several of his men, when he fell mortally wounded. It 
was now getting late, and the Americans feared that a 
party of between three and five hundred men, who, it 
was said, had left Moro that morning for Santa Fe 
might return ; they therefore concluded to retire to Las 
Vegas, taking with them fifteen Mexican prisoners. 
They had three men wounded, besides their commander, 
and they killed fifteen of the enemy. The whole de- 
tachment being collected, they soon after returned to 
Santa Fe. 

Colonel Price remained at Canada until the 27th of 
January, when he advanced up the Rio Grande as far as 
Luceros, where he was joined on the 28th by Captain 
Burgwin, with his company of the 1st dragoons dis- 
mounted, and another company of the 2nd ]\Iissouri. 
Lieutenant Wilson, of the 1st dragoons, also came up 
with a six-pounder gun which had been sent for from Cafi- 
ada. The whole force now consisted of 479 rank and file, 
and on the 29th they marched to La Joya, where they 
learned that a party of sixty or eighty Mexicans had 
posted themselves on the steep slopes of the mountains 
on either side of the Caiion leading to Embudo. Find- 
ing that the road through the gorge was impracticable 
for artillery or wagons. Captain Burgwin was detached 
with a party of 180 men, consisting of his company of 



ROUT OF THE MEXICANS. 327 

dragoons, the volunteer company of Captain St. Vrain, 
and one company of the 2nd Missouri under Lieutenant 
White, to dislodge the enemy. 

Pushing rapidly forward, Captain Burgwin found be- 
tween six and seven hundred of the enemy, Mexicans 
and Indians, occupying both sides of the gorge, at a 
point where it scarcely admitted of the passage of three 
men marching abreast. They were likewise protected 
by dense masses of rock, and the bushy cedars cover- 
ing the hills, whose sides were so precipitous as to be 
almost impossible of ascent. Flanking parties were 
thrown out on either hand, and the Americans advanced 
boldly upon the enemy, springing up the rugged accliv- 
ity, and clinging with one hand to the branches of the 
trees, as with the other they fired the rifles whose un- 
erring balls hurtled through the pass. During the action 
Captain Slack, of the 2nd Missouri, arrived from La 
Joya, where the firing had been heard, with twenty-five 
of his men mounted, the horses of this company having 
joined them at Caiiada. A more vigorous onset was 
now made, when the Mexicans abandoned their position 
and retreated in haste beyond Embudo, with the loss 
of twenty men killed and sixty wounded. The Amer- 
icans lost one man killed and one wounded. Captain 
Burgwin entered the town without opposition, and on 
the 30th instant proceeded to Trampas, where he 
awaited the arrival of the main body. 

Colonel Price left Trampas on the 31st of January, 
with his whole command. Crossing over the Taos 
mountain, through roads filled with new-fallen snow — ' 
the soldiersmarchingin front of the artillery and wagons, 
with unwearied patience and constancy, in order to 
break the way, and many of them being frost-bitten on 
the route, — they entered San Fernando de Taos on the 



328 PUEBLA DE TAOS. 

3rd of February. At this place they ascertained that 
about seven hundred of the enemy were posted in Pu- 
ebla de Taos, a short distance in the advance. This 
was a strongly fortified Indian village, surrounded by 
adobe walls and pickets, flanked by projecting buildings.* 
Within the inclosure,and near the northern and south- 
ern walls, there were two large structures of an irreg- 
ular pyramidal form, and seven or eight stories in height, 
each capable of sheltering five or six hundred men. In 
addition to these, there were a number of smaller build- 
ings, and in the north-western angle there was a large 
church, with a narrow passage between it and the outer 
wall. The inclosed buildings and the exterior walls 
were pierced for rifles. 

A reconnaissance was made, and Lieutenant Dyer 
took position with the artillery on the western side of 
the village. A warm fire was kept up till sunset, when> 
as the ammunition-wagon had not arrived, and the 
troops were suffering from the inclemency of the weather, 
they returned to San Fernando. With the first glim- 
mering of light on the morning of the 4lh, they were 
again in motion. On approaching the town, Captain 
Burgwin was stationed within two hundred and sixty 
yards of the western flank of the church, with his com- 
pany, and two howitzers, in command of Lieutenant 
Hassendaubel, of Major Clark's artillery battalion. Lieu- 
tenant Dyer was ordered to take post with the six- 
pounder and the remaining two howitzers, about three 
hundred yards from the northern wall, so as to obtain a 
cross fire upon the church, the most feasible point of 

• These fortified villages are frequently to be met with in the north- 
ern part of Mexico. They are constructed by the half-civilized Mexican 
Indians, to protect themselves and property against the more savage 
tribes. The adobe v^alls are formed of bricks dried in the sun. 



STORMING THE TOWN. 329 

attack. The mounted men, under Captains St. Yrain 
and Slack, moved round to the eastern side of the town, 
to intercept any fugitives who might attempt to escape 
in that direction, and the remainder of the troops were 
directed to support Lieutenant Dyer. The batteries 
opened at nine o'clock, and at the expiration of two 
hours no breach had been effected in the walls of the 
church. Orders were therefore given to storm the 
building. Captain Burgwin advanced on the western 
side with the dragoons and one company of the 2nd 
Missouri, while Captain Angney approached the north- 
ern wall with his battalion, and two companies of the 
2nd Missouri. 

The enemy held out manfully, and poured a terrible 
fire upon the assailants, who succeeded in gaining the 
cover of the wall on the western side of the church. 
As soon as the Americans had established themselves, 
they commenced plying their axes in the attempt to 
effect a breach. A temporary ladder was also con- 
structed, by the aid of which the roof was fired. Cap- 
tain Burgwin, and a small part3', penetrated into the 
caral in front, and endeavored to force the door of the 
church. They found the attempt fruitless, and, being 
fully exposed on all sides to the fire of the enemy, the 
party were compelled to retire to their former position, 
carrying with them their daring leader mortally wounded. 
In the meantime several holes had been cut in the west- 
ern wall, through which shells were thrown in by hand, 
doing good execution. Lieutenant Wilson now came 
round with the six-pounder, and poured a heavy fire of 
grape into the town. Between three and four o'clock 
in the afternoon the gun was run up, and opened on the 
church within sixty yards, the enemy still continuing 
their deadly volleys. After firing several rounds, one 



330 CAPITULATION OF THE EEVOLTERS. , 

of the holes cut with the axes was widened into a prac- 
ticable breach. The six-pounder was further advanced 
within ten yards, — a shell and three rounds of grape 
were thrown into the opening, — and ere the echoes had 
died away, a party of stormers, headed b}' Lieutenant 
Dyer, of the ordnance, and Lieutenants Wilson and 
Taylor, of the 1st dragoons, sprang through the smoke 
and falling ruins into the centre of the church. The 
enemy fled before them, and shortly after abandoned 
the whole western part of the town. Some took refuge 
in the houses on the east, and others attempted to es- 
cape to the neighboring hills, but were cut down by 
the mounted men under Captains St. Vrain and Slack. 
The American troops were quietly quartered in the 
houses on the western side of the village, during the 
night of the 4th, and early in the next morning the aged 
men and women of the enemy appeared before Colonel 
Price as suppliants, bearing their children, their images 
and crosses, and humbly sued for peace. Their request 
was granted on condition that Tomas, the Puebla Indian, 
should be delivered up to him. This was done, and he 
then returned to San Fernando with his command. In 
this affair the Americans had seven killed and forty-five 
wounded, many of them mortally. One hundred and 
fifty of the enemy were killed, and the number of their 
wounded was still greater. The prompt action of Col- 
onel Price put an end to the insurrection. All the lead- 
ers of the movement, with the exception of Cortes, were 
dead ;* and, although the American forces remained for 

* Tafoya was killed at Canada; Cliavis fell at Puebla de Taos; 
Tomas was shot ia an altercation with a private soldier, in the guard- 
room at San Fernando ; and Montoya was hanged at the latter place 
on the 7th of February. It will be recollected that General Kearny 
assumed to transfer the allegiance of the inhabitants of New Mexico, 
from their own government to that of the United States. If this could 



DEPREDATIONS COMMITTED. 331 

several days at San Fernando, they discovered no more 
indications of disaffection, and therefore returned to 
Santa Fe. 

Syin|)toms of revolt had been manifested at the cap- 
ital, but the severe defeat sustained by the insurrection- 
ists in the north, prevented any attempt openly to resist 
the authority of the United States. A greater degree 
of vigilance was afterwards observed, and every thing 
remained peaceful and quiet until the month of May, 
when bands of Mexicans and Indians, many of whom 
came from Taos, were embodied in the valley of the 
Moro, foi- the purpose of attacking the supply trains on 
their way from Fort Leavenworth, and capturing the 
horses of the grazing parties which Colonel Price had 
again distributed through the country. 

On the 20th of May, the camp of Captain Robinson, of 
Lieutenant Colonel Willock's battalion, was surprised; 
one man was killed and two wounded, and over two 
hundred horses and mules were driven off. Major Ed- 
monson, then in command at Las Vegas, immediately 
started in pursuit with about 80 men. Upon his arrival 
at the Wagon Mound, where Captain Robinson was en- 
camped, he learned that a wagon-train had been at- 
tacked at Santa Clara springs, on the 23rd instant, by 
the same party of marauders, supposed to be between 
three and four hundred strong, commanded by Cortes. 
Following closely upon the enemy's trail, in the after- 
have been done, which it could not, under the laws of nations, the re- 
volters were all guilty of treason, and the execution of Montoya would 
therefore have been justifiable. Colonel Price seems to have regarded 
the matter in this light ; but a few weeks later he was advised that his 
government had disapproved the official acts of General Kearny, trans- 
ferring the allegiance of Mexican citizens, and an individual by the 
name of Trajillo, then recently convicted of treason, was ordered to be 
set at liberty. 



332 SKIRMISHING WITH THE MARAUDERS. 

noon of the 26th he found them posted in force, on the 
heights overlooking a deep canon leading down to the 
Red River. A desultory and spirited contest ensued, 
which was kept up till dark, when Major Edmonson 
withdrew his men to a more open position, and en- 
camped for the night. On the following day he re-en- 
tered the canon, but found it evacuated. The pursuit 
was continued for several miles, until the track was lost 
amongst the large herds of wild horses on the plains. 
The check was effectual, however, for the time ; the 
enemy having lost forty-one killed and a large number 
wounded. The Americans lost but one man killed and 
three slightly wounded. 

Lieutenant Brown, of the 2nd Missouri, left Las Ve- 
gas on the 27th of June, with two men and a Mexican 
guide, in pursuit of some horses which had been stolen 
at that place. He found the animals at Las Vallas, fif- 
teen miles distant ; but, upon his seizing them, the Mex- 
icans murdered the whole party. On being informed 
of the massacre. Major Edmonson made a forced march 
from Las Vegas with sixty men and two howitzers, sur- 
prised the town, shot dowii a few who attempted to es- 
cape, and took about forty prisoners. On the 6th of 
July the camp of Captain Morris, of the separate Mis- 
souri battalion, was attacked ; Lieutenant Larkin and 
four men were killed, and there were nine wounded. 
All the horses and property were captured by the ma- 
rauders. A portion of the detachment took shelter un- 
der the banks of the Cienega, near which they had been 
posted, and maintained their position until the arrival 
of Captain Shepherd with his company, when the enemy 
retired. Lieutenant Colonel Willock, commanding at 
Taos, pursued them some distance, but could not over- 
take them. 



THE COUNTRY GENERALLY aUIET. 333 

In July, there were frequent rumors of an approach- 
ing insurrection, and the troops were ordered to be in 
readiness for any emergency. The presence of an 
additional force ordered to New Mexico, had the ten- 
dency to check any movement, if one was in contem- 
plation. Occasional depredations were committed by 
the Indians, but the Mexicans busied themselves for the 
most part in securing their crops, and nothing of ex- 
traordinary interest occurred during the remainder of 
the summer, or of the ensuing autumn. 



^ CHAPTER XII. 

CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO. 

Route from Puebla — The Valley of Mexico — Fortifications — Turning 
Lake Chalco— Affair at Oka Laka — March of Major Lally from 
Vera Cruz to Jalapa — Arrival of the American army at San Augustin 
— Attempt to reach the San Angel road — Crossing the Pedregal — The 
Night Bivouac — Storming the Intrenchments at Contreras — The En- 
emy driven from San Antonio — Battle of Churubusco — The Victors 
at the Gates of the Capital. 

General Scott left Puebla, in person, on the 8th 
of August, and on the same day overtook, and then 
continued with, the leading division under General 
Twiggs. The different corps of his army moved for- 
ward, en echelon, being at no time beyond five hours, 
or supporting distance, apart. The city of Mexico is 
something more than ninety miles from Puebla. The 
road ascends gradually through a fertile rolling coun- 
try, checquered with beautiful gardens and hedges of 
cactus, with fields of maize and plantations of the aloe, 
until it reaches the tierra fria, or cold region, " the 
thii'd and last of the great natural terraces into which 
the country is divided."* Here the feathery palm gives 
place to the evergreen, and the fruits and vegetation 
of the tropics, make room for those usually found in 
more northern climes. Leaving Cholula to the south, 
on the third day of their march the Americans arrived 
at the pass of Rio Frio, ten thousand feet above the level 

• Prescotl's Conquest of Mexico, vol. i. p. 8. 



THE VALLEY OF MEXICO. 335 

of the ocean. Far away to the north extended the 
mountain crests of Anahuac, and on the other hand 
rose the lofty peak of Iztaccihuatl, and still further to 
the left, and towering still higher into the clouds, "the 
great volcan," Popocatepetl, — the cold bleak winds of 
winter ever whistling about their summits, and the gen- 
tle breez^es of an unending summer sporting and playing_ 
with the shrubs and [lowers that blossom at their feet.* 

From Rio Frio the descent is rapid. Shortly after 
the advance of the army emerged from the pass, and on 
turning an angle of the mountains, which left their view 
to the westward entirely unobstructed, the Valley of 
Mexico bui'st u])on them like some vision of enchant- 
ment. Spread out before them, and beneath them, lay 
the goi'geous panorama, of hill and mountain, grove and 
forest, river and lake, hamlet and city, — upon which 
they gazed with emotions similar to those with which 
Hannibal and his ibllovvers looked down from the Alps, 
over the fair plains of Italy ; or those that animated the 
mail-clad warriors of Cortes, when they sounded their 
cheering war-cry of "San .Tago and San Pedro!" 
through these wild gorges, or, flushed with victory and 
conquest, turned their eyes upon the same glorious 
scenes, beholding, " in the midst, — like some Indian 
empress with her coronal of pearls, — the fair city of 
Mexico, with her white towers and pyramidal temples, 
reposing, as it were, on the bosom of the waters, — the 
far-famed ' Venice of the Aztecs !' '"f 

The Valley of Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, as it was called 

♦ These two mountains, in former times, were looked upon by the 
Indians as divinities; Iztaccihuatl, " the white woman," as the name 
signifies, being regarded, according to their superstition, as the wife of 
Popocatepetl, or " the hill that smokes." During the past century the 
latter has rarely been in a state of activity. 

•f- Prescett's Conquest of Mexico, vol. ii. p. 51. 



336 BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. 

by the ancient inhabitants, in which the capital is situ- 
ated, is an irregular, oval basin, about two hundred miles 
in circumference, inclosed by walls of porphyritic moun- 
tains, and surrounded by some of the highest peaks of 
the Cordilleras. Lying in the centre of the great table 
land of the country, it is protected alike from the fierce 
norte, and the rude breezes of the east, by the bold 
sierras that encircle it. Favored with a most genial 
temperature, this sunny spot teems with the valuable 
products, quickened into existence by the warm breath 
of the tropics, and watered by copious showers of rain, 
and the torrents that gush forth from the fissures of 
the neighboring cliffs. Forests of oak and pecan trees 
adorn the more elevated ground. Here a copse of syc- 
amores, and there a group of tall cypresses, fling their 
broad shadows over the landscape, lighted by the rays 
of the burning sun, or the soft bright moon. The 
glossy leaves of the myrtle nestle close beside the pep- 
per tree, whose scarlet berries cast a rich flush over its 
delicate foliage. Aromatic shrubs load the air with the 
intoxicating odors that invite the senses to repose, and 
an endless variety of flowers add their gay and brilliant 
colors to enhance the beauty of the scene. 

Just beneath the range of mountains on the east, is 
the series of lakes which form the most picturesque at- 
traction of the valley, looking up, like the blue eyes of 
the turquoise, to the azure heavens above them, whose 
glory they reflect. Pretty gardens are scattered lav- 
ishly around them, and smiling villages and haciendas 
peep out in every direction from the groves in which 
they are imbosomed. But, conspicuous above all, is 
the city of Mexico, — containing a population of two 
hundred thousand souls — the most ancient, as it is the 
most splendid capital on the Western Continent ! Her 



THE CHIiVAMPAS. 337 

white domes, her Gothic churches, her shady pas6os, 
and her beautiful Alameda ; her noble cathedral, whose 
fretted roof, and groined arches, echo daily with the 
swelling notes of old Te Dewn ; and her lofty palaces, 
with their sculptured fa9ades, and porticos embellished 
with porphyry and jasper, are the first to attract atten- 
tion — the first to elicit admiration. ^ 
As there is no happiness without its alloy, so there 
are patches covered with rocks of lava, or masses of 
scoriae, occasionally to be found in this lovely valley ; 
and now and then a dark buttress, destitute of vege- 
tation, — save, perhaps, a stray creeper, rooted in some 
crevice, and clambering up its rugged sides, — may be 
seen projecting from the mountains. Still, it may be 
questioned, whether these do not, by the very contrast 
they exhibit, serve to add to, rather than diminish, the 
beauty that surrounds them. The chinampas, — those 
floating wildernesses of sweets and blossoms, far sur- 
pass'ng the Alcinas and Morganas of the Italian poets 
— which dotted the lakes in the time of the conquest, 
have nearly disappeared.* The clearing away of the 
primeval forests, too, and other influences connected 
with the improved condition of the country, have caused 
their waters to recede from their original limits, and 

♦ The chinampas, or floating gardens, were rnfls formeil of reeJs and 
rushes, and the branches of young trees woven firmly together, which 
were covered, to the depfh of three or four feet, with the alluvial wash 
of the streams, and the black mould drav/n up from the bottom of the 
shallow lakes. Vegetables, flowers, and small trees, were raised in 
them, and sometime? they were capable of sustaining a hut for the resi- 
dence of the gardener. Although they could be pushed through the 
water without much difliculty, they were usually moored near the shore 
for safety. ThSs was certainly a rare device to insure the presence of 
sufficient moisture to counteract the burning heat of a tropical sun. — 
Humboldt's Essai Politique, torn. ii. pp. 87, 153. — Murray's Encyclo- 
pedia of Geography, pp. 323-4. 

15 



338 CLUSTER OF LAKES. 

some of them are now girded by barren strips of 
land, covered with white sand, or incrusted salts.* 
Standing close beside them, they appear much less 
beautiful than in former days, but seen in the distance, 
with the sunlight streaming over them, they appear 
like a cluster of rich jewels in a framework of silver. 
The principal lakes in the valley are five in number. 
The salt lake, Tezcuco, occupies the lowest ground, near 
the centre of the basin ; separated from it by a narrow 
isthmus on the north, is San Christobnl, and further to 
the north-west is Lake Zumpango ; between five and 
six miles south of Tezcuco, is Xochimilco, and near 
the eastern extremity of the latter is Lake Chalco. At 
the period of the conquest by the Spaniards, the city 
of Mexico was entirely surrounded by the waters of 
Lake Tezcuco, and connected with the mainland by 
three massive causeways or dikes, which, at this day, 
form important avenues to the capital. For a long 
time it was liable to frequent inundations, when the 
great central reservoir, which received the surplus wa- 
ters of the other lakes, was swollen beyond its oi-dinary 
height. The elevation of the site by the ruins of the 
ancient dwellings of the Aztecs, thrown down by 
Cortes during the siege, — the subsidence of the waters 
— the building of embankments tmd sluices, — and the 
construction of the great drain of Huehuetoca, in the 
seventeenth century, — have entirely obviated the dan- 
ger. The plaza mayor, or great square, is now four 
feet higher than the average level of Tezcuco; but the 

♦ The waters of LhUp Valsntia, in the valley of Aragua in Venezu- 
ela, similarly situatetl with tliose in the visinity of Maxico, have su'isiJed 
in like manner. The same is also true of the lakes of Switzerlaml, and 
of those near TJbats, in New Granada. The reader will find this sub- 
ject, — the influen?.? of agriculture on the quantity of runnin^r water of 
a country,— discussed, at length, in Boussinjault's Rural Economy. 



THE CAUSEWAYS. 339 

environs of the city, tliough more or less cultivated, are 
quite wet and marshy, especially during the rainy sea- 
son, that commences towards liie latter part of June, 
and terminates in September. 

The modern city,* which is over 7,600 feet above 
the level of the sea, lies about three miles west of Lake 
Tezcuco, and near six miles from the north-western point 
of Lake Xochimilco. It is approached by six great 
roads, terminating in stone causeways, from one and a 
half to three miles in length. The National Road, from 
Vera Cruz, along which the reader has followed the 
march of General Scott and his army, skirts the south- 
ern shore of Tezcuco, and enters the capital from the 
east. The Acapulco road, which terminates in the 
San Antonio causeway, approaches it from the south ; 
the road from Toluca, — entering upon the Tacubaya 
causeway, with a lateral branch leading to the cause- 
way of San Cosme, from the south-west ; and the great 
western, or San Cosme road, from the west. The 
other two roads enter the city from the north. Be- 
tween these principal roads are smaller ones, also ter- 
minating in causeways, which lead to the different towns 
in the valley and its neighborhood. 

Few soldiers have ever wooed fortune for the smallest 
of her favors, so assiduously, and with such poor encour- 
agement, as Santa Anna, the provisional President of 
Mexico, and General-in-chief of her armies. His military 
career, subsequent to the overthrow of the federal consti- 
tution, presents but a series of disasters ; yet, in the midst 
of his reverses, he seems never to have been absolutely 
discouraged or disheartened. With the i-ecollections of 
Angostura and Cerro Gordo fresh in his remembrance, he 

* Mexico was rebuilt by Cortes, on the site of the ancient capital of 
the Aztecs 



340 FORTIFICATIONS. 

still hoped for the best. A majority of his countrymen 
appeared to be with him, heart and hand ;* the clergy, 
who possessed the means, contributed from their vast 
wealth for the national protection ; new levies were 
made, and large numbers of citizens enrolled in the Na- 
tional Guard ; and he never suffered his energies to relax, 
nor his spirits to be dampened, after the avowal of his de- 
termination to prosecute the war to the uttermost. One 
triumph, — one repulse, — but a single check given to 
the unbroken tide of victories sweeping in advance of 
General Scott, as he progressed towards the capital, — 
would be sufficient to place him on that proud pinnacle 
of power to which his aspirations were directed, and 
enable him, and those whom he served, to proffer, in- 
stead of accepting, terms of peace to the enemy, with- 
out humiliation, and without dishonor. 

Early in the month of August, 1847, Mexico was 
placed in a tolerable condition of defence. The main 
avenues leading to the city, on the south and east, by 
one or other of which it was supposed the American 
army would approach, were strongly guarded. Sweep- 
ing away, in a wide semicircle, from the southern 
border of Lake Tezcuco to the western mountains, a 
chain of bristling fortifications met the eye. About 
seven miles from the capital, in a south-easterly direc- 
tion, is Ei Penon, an isolated hill, three hundred feet 
high, having three plateaus of different elevations, each 
of which was garnished with a lier of guns, and infan- 
try breastworks. Dii-ectly at its base, on the north, is 
the National Road, passing along a causeway con- 

• In the month of July a coalition was formed by the authorities of 
the five states of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Zacatecas, Jalisco, and 
Queretaro, who declared that they would be bound by no treaty so long 
as the army of the United States threatened the capital, or occupied any 
part of the Mexican territory. 



CHURUBUSCO. 341 

structed upon the very verge of Lake Tezcuco. The 
height was completely surrounded by a deep ditch, 
flooded by sluices from the lake. There was a strong 
battery, also, on the causeway, four hundred yards in 
advance of the hill, another by its side, and a third, 
about a mile from the gate of San Lazaro. Three 
miles in front of El Penon, at the hamlet of Los Reyes, 
a second road, though but an indifferent one, branches 
off to the south-west, to the village of Mexicalcingo, sit- 
uated at the foot of Lake Xochimilco, on the outlet or 
canal leading to Mexico, from which it is about five 
miles distant. The ground in the vicinity of the village 
is low and boggy, and the bridge over the outlet was 
fortified, and flanked to the right and left, by powerful 
batteries.* 

Two miles south-west of Mexicalcingo, upon the 
opposite shore of Xochimilco, is Churubusco, on the 
Acapulco road — the first high ground west of the lake. 
A short distance north of the village, the road, or cause- 
way, crosses the river Churubusco, over a large stone 
bride. This was protected by a tete du pont, with 
bastioned fronts regularly proportioned, and a wide 
ditch. The outer face of the south front was seventy 
five yards in length : — the eastern front was one hun- 
dred yards, and the western nearly the same. Between 
two and three miles south of Churubusco, at the village 
of San Antonio, there were strong fieldworks, contain- 
ing seven batteries, with twenty-four heavy guns, and 
two infantry breastworks, which commanded the ap- 
proaches in that direction. 

Five miles north-west of Churubusco, where the 

* At El Penon there were twenty batteries, mounting 51 guns, and 
fifteen infantry breastworks ; and at Mexicalcingo, eight batteries, 
mounting 38 guns, and one breastwork for infantry. 



^■<? 



342 CHAPULTEPEC AND EL MOLINO DEL REY. 

mountains on the west incline nearer to the city, is 
" the royal hill of Chapultepec,"* — once washed by the 
waters of Lake Tezcuco — in ancient times the favorite 
retreat of the mild Montezuma and his royal ancestors. 
At a later day it was crowned with the splendid palace 
.of the Viceroy Galvez — subsequently converted into a 
military school and fortification. The main structure 
and terre-plein, covering about four hundred square 
yards, and provided with heavy armaments, occupied 
the summit of a rocky acclivity, one hundred and fifty 
feet above the adjacent meadows, near the east end of 
an oblong inclosure, surrounded by a stone wall ten feet 
high, four hundred yards broad, from north to south, 
and nine hundred yards in length, from . east to west. 
On the rising ground, beyond a gentle slope inclining 
towards the west from the base of the acclivity, and 
adorned with a magnificent grove of cypress trees, 
twelve hundred yards distant from Chapultepec, was 
El Molino DEL Rey, " the Mill of the King," a long 
range of stone buildings, with towers at the end, origi- 
nally, as the name implies, used as a mill ; but when 
the Americans entered the valley, it was occupied by 
the Mexican troops. From four to five hundred yards 
further to the west, upon a ridge, and nearly on a 
line with the northern face of El Molino del Rey, was 
Casa de Mata, an old square building, with thick stone 
walls, surrounded by ditches and bastioned intrench- 
ments, erected for a fort, but afterwards occupied as 
a dwelling. Ditches, batteries, redans, and breast- 
works, varying in form and extent, were constructed 
in and about this group of fortifications. f 

♦ The Hill of Grasshoppers. 

f There were seven batteries at Chapultepec, mounting 19 guns, and 
seven infantry breastworks. 



INTERIOR LINE OF DEFENCE. 343 

Less than a mile south of Chapultepec, and within 
range of its guns, is the village, or hermitage of Tacu- 
baya, containing the palace of the archbishop, and a 
number of fine country seats. At the south-eastern 
angle of the inclosure, the Toluca road intersects the 
causeway, leading direct, one and a half miles, in a 
north-fcasterly course, to the gate of Belen. Here also 
commsnces the branch conducting to the San Cosm6 
causswa}', about two miles further north. The Tacu- 
baya causeway, — the branch, from the north-eastern 
angle of the wall encompassing the heights of Chapul- 
tepec, — and the San Cosme causeway, from its inter- 
section with the latter, — are double roadways, on 
either side of massy elevated aqueducts, supported on 
heavy arches and pillars, which supply the city with 
fresh water. The causeways are all flanked by deep 
ditches, and marshy grounds. 

Within this exterior chain of defences, which mount- 
ed, together, over one hundred pieces of artillery, there 
was also an interior line scarcely less formidable. A 
wide and deep navigable canal, intended for drainage 
and for custom-hou^e purposes, and extremely difficult, 
if not impossible, to bridge in the face of an active 
enemy, surrounded the city throughout its greater ex- 
tent. There were eight main entrances, at each of 
which there was a garita, or large fortified gateway, 
where duties were collected, as in many European 
towns. 

On the left of the Tacubaya causeway, but a short 
distance in rear of the garita Belen, was the Ciudadela, 
or citadel, a solid rectangular work, between two and 
three hundred yards square. Batteries and redans 
were built upon and near the causeways and garitas, 
and in the intervals between them ; and preparations 



344 APPROACH OF THE AMERICANS. 

were made to connect the works by a continuous line 
of breastworks and redoubts, and to barricade the 
heads of the streets leading into tbepi'incipal thorough- 
fares. The losses sustained by the Mexicans during 
the progress of the war had occasioned a great defi- 
ciency in artillery, and the interior line of defence was 
but poorly supplied with guns ; it having been the in- 
tention, probably, of Santa Anna, if forced to retreat, 
to withdraw his artillery from the exterior line, and 
employ it in defending a new position. 

The army under the immediate command of the 
Mexican President and General-in-chief, numbered over 
30,000 men, who were well provided with arms, and 
well disciplined. The various fortifications south and 
east of the city were garrisoned, and General Valencia 
was thrown forward with his division, on the road to 
Puebla, to hold that route in observation. Santa Anna 
took post with the main body of his troops, in the vicin- 
ity of ihe capital, in readiness to succor any point that 
mi^ht be menaced. General Valencia advanced as far 
as the pass of Rib Frio, where the mountains close 
down upon, and overhang the road, for nearly a mile. 
Trees were felled, and embankments thrown up, but on 
the approach of General Scott, he fell back towards 
Mexico, and the march of the former was entirely un- 
obstructed. 

Rumors of resistance were quite frequent as the 
Americans advanced into the interior ; but they en- 
countered no obstacle worthy of mention, and saw^ no 
enemy, except, it might be, an occasional guerillero flit- 
ting away over the distant cliffs, with the speed of the 
wild deer chased by the hunters. Major Sumner, with 
the companies of the 2nd dragoons, and one company of 
mounted rifles, led the advance ; and on approaching 



SKIRMISHING. 345 

the foot of the mountains, he discovered a hodj of the 
enenny's lancers posted about a mile in his front, near 
the hacienda of Buena Vista. Promptly ordering a 
charge, the Mexicans were compelled to make a hasty 
retreat. General Twiggs reached Ayotla, fifteen miles 
from Mexico, on the 11th of August, where he halted 
with his division. The other divisions of the army 
soon came up, and encamped in his rear, about the head 
of Lake Chalco. 

There were three different routes that suggested 
themselves to General Scott, by which the city could 
be approached ; the first, to make the circuit of Lake 
Tezcuco, and enter it by way of Guadalupe, from the 
north ; the second, to proceed straight forward upon 
the National Road ; and the third, to turn Lakes Chalco 
and Xochimilco, and approach it on the south. The 
first was ascertained to be too tedious and too circuit- 
ous to be undertaken. Close and daring reconnais- 
sances of El Peiion were made on the 12th and 13th, 
which disclosed the strength of the position, and con- 
vinced the American commander that the work could 
not be carried except at a great sacrifice of life. Sev- 
eral skirmishes took place with the enemy's advanced 
corpr, while these reconnaissances were being made, 
and on the 13th a superior force of Mexican cavalry 
w?Te attacked and routed by a small party of dragoons 
escorting Lieutenant Hamilton, aid-de-camp to Gen-e- 
ral Scott, who was ordered to make an examination of 
a foundry near Mil Flores, a small town five or six 
miles beyond Chalco. On the 13th instant, another 
reconnaissance was directed upon Mexicalcingo, Avhen 
it was found that, masking El Penon, the passage of 
the bridge at that place could be forced. But it was 
also ascertained that the causeway beyond the bridge 

15* 



346 TURNING LAKE CIIALCO. 

was very narrow, and Hanked on both sides by water 
and marshes. To proceed by either of the routes on 
the east, was, therefore, deemed unadvisable, if a more 
feasible one could be found. 

General Scott had long entertained the projact of 
passing around Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, in order 
to gain the harder and firmer, though more uneven 
ground, to the south, and south-west of the capital.* 
On the 14th of August, Captain Mason, of the engi- 
neers, supported by a party commanded by Lieutenant 
Colonel Duncan, reconnoitred the southern route, and 
discovered that there was a practicable road for artil- 
lery, by which the strong fortifications east of the city 
could be avoided. Orders were immediately issued for 
putting the columns in motion. The order of march 
was now reversed. General Worth's division, with 
Colonel Harney's brigade in the advance, marched in 
the afternoon of the 15th instant. Generals Pillow and 
Quitman followed the movement closely with their di- 
visions, and on the 16th General Twiggs brought up the 
rear with his command. At the hacienda of Oka Laka, 
about half a mile south of the National Road, General 
Twiggs encountered the division of General Valencia, 
formed, as he thought, to cut him off from the leading 
columns. His men were quickly and handsomely ar- 
rayed in line of battle, and then moved forward to 
meet the enemy. Captain Taylor at the same time 
opened upon them with his guns, but they judged it 
prudent to retire before the American infantry came 
within range. They were driven nearly two miles from 
the road, by the fire of the battery, leaving several of 

♦ This was, mainly, the route taken by Cortes, on Iiis second visit to 
the capital of the Aztecs. During the siege, iiis head-quarters were at 
fort Xoloc, on what is now the San Antonio causeway. 



MARCH OF MAJOR LALLY. 347 

their dead on the field, and General Twiggs then con- 
tinued on his course unmolested. 

Following: the miserable trail that wound its devious 
way around Lake Chalco, the Americans once more 
came in sight of the glittering spires of the capital, as 
they reached the southern borders of Xochimilco, no 
longer, as its name imports, " the field of flowers." The 
road was almost impassable ; in some places being nearly 
covered with water and excessively muddy; and in oth- 
ers running beneath frowning clifls, or across deep rocky 
gullcys. A few straggling parties of the enemy were 
discovered, but no attempt was made to impede the 
progress of the American columns, til the 17tl) instant. 
General Worth then found the narrow road, beyond the 
hacienda of San Gregorio, badly cut up and filled with 
rocks. These obstructions considerably retarded his 
advance, as it became necessary to remove them be- 
fore the column could proceed. Near Santa Cruz a 
scattering fire was opened upon the head of the division, 
by a body of Mexicans, posted on the hills above the 
road on the left, who were quickly dispersed by the 
light battalion under Lieutenant Colonel C. F. Smith, 
and the 2nd artillery under Major Gait. At La Novia, 
also, the American advance had a skirmish with one 
of the enemy's pickets, which was driven in. 

After the evacuation of Jalapa by the American 
troop?, on account of the inability of General Scott to 
garrison so many posts on the road to Vera Cruz, that 
city became the head-quarters of the guerilla chiefs, 
whose bands had infested the road. The severe chas- 
tisement the latter had received from Generals Cad- 
walader and Pierce had produced a deep impression, 
and it required some powerful attraction to draw them 
in very great numbers from their hiding-places. On the 



348 THE GUERILLEROS. 

6th of August Major Lally, of the 9th infantry, left Yera 
Cruz with about 1,000 men, consisting of nine connpa- 
nies of infantry, belonging to different regiments, two 
companies of voltigeurs, one company of Georgia 
mounted volunteers under Captain Loyall, and a bat- 
tery of two six- pounders, commanded by Lieutenant 
Sears, of the 2nd artillery. The command escorted a 
train of sixty-four wagons, which, it was erroneously 
reported, contained one million of dollars in specie. 
The opportunity of reaping this golden harvest was not 
lost by the guerilleros. The intelligence was conveyed 
with great rapidity through the country, and General 
Soto, governor of the state of Vera Cruz, in connec- 
tion with the guerilla leaders, Padre Jarauta, Seiior 
Aburto, and others, succeeded in collecting together be- 
tween twelve and fifteen hundred men, with several 
pieces of artillery. 

Anticipating an encounter with the banditti upon 
the road. Major Lally placed the left wing of his de- 
tachment, under Captain Winans, of the 15th infan- 
try, in front of the train, and the right wing, under 
Captain Ilutter, of, the Gth infantry, in the rear. The 
centre guard, of two companies, was commanded by 
Lieutenant Lear, of the 5lh infantry, and mounted 
Hankers were thrown out on either side. The enemy 
were first discovered, on the 10th of August, at Pasode 
Ovejas, where they attempted to harass the American 
troops, by firing at long distances, for the purpose of 
drawing them into the chaparral in a fruitless search. 
Their object was soon understood, and the command 
continued steadily on their route. About two o'clock in 
the afternoon, the principal attack was made from be- 
hind the ruins of a stone house, upon a hill on the right 
of the road in front. Lieutenant Sears opened an ef- 



REPEATED ENCOUNTERS. 349 

fective fire of grapg and ball on the house, and Captain 
Alvord, of the 4th infantry, seconded by Lieutenant 
Leigh, of the voltigeurs, gallantly stormed the height 
with a party, and drove the enemy before them. In 
the meantime an attack was made on the head of the 
trafn, which was repulsed by Captain Winans. Dar- 
ing assaults were also made on the centre and rear that 
were promptly met by Lieutenant Lear and Captain 
Hutter. 

Major Lally immediately dispatched a messenger to 
Colonel Wilson, in command at Vera Cruz, with the 
intelligence of his rencontre with the guerilleros, and 
on the 13th instant Captain Wells, of the 12th infantry, 
was ordered to reinforce him, with two companies of 
infantry and one company of the Louisiana mounted 
volunteers, under Captain Fairchild. Meanwhile Ma- 
jor Lally had proceeded with his detachment, having 
been joined, on the 11th instant, by a company of 
Louisiana cavalry under Captain Besan9on. On the 
12th, he discovered the enemy, posted in force, at the 
Puente Nacional. As usual, the bridge was barri- 
caded, and a terrible fire from the Mexican escopetas 
was poured upon the command, from the fort, and the 
heights on the right of the town beyond the stream. 
Lieutenant Sears attempted to breach the barricade 
with his guns, but could not bring them to bear in such 
an exposed position. They were then withdrawn, and 
the fire of one piece was turned upon the fort, while 
the other, from a hill on the right, opened on the heights 
near the town. At the same time Lieutenants Wil- 
kins and Doyle, of the 15th infantry, and Lieutenant 
Loring, of the 11th infantry, with parts of their com- 
panies, advanced to the parapets of the bridge, from 
which they kept up a constant fire. Lieutenant Lor- 



350 AFFAIR AT CERRO GORDO. 

ing succeeded in passing the barricade with a small 
party, and was instantly Ibliowed by a body of foot and 
horse. The artillery had now dislodged the enemy 
from the fort and the heights ; the bridge was cleared ; 
and at sunset Major Lally was in possession of the 
town, where he remained until the morning of the 
14th instant, to give time for any reinforcements that 
might be sent from Vera Cruz, to come up with him. 

Captain Wells found the road swarming with gueril- 
leros, and was compelled to fight his way, foot by foot, 
to the National Bridge. He attempted to cross the 
river, but found all the adjacent heights occupied by 
the enemy. Repeated efforts were made to effect the 
passage of the stream, though without success. Nearly 
all the mules attached to the wagons were killed, and 
being destitute of artillery, the party were eventually 
forced to retire, with the loss of ten or twelve men 
killed and wounded. All the wagons, with one ex- 
ception, containing the baggage of the officers and 
knapsacks of the men, fell into the hands of 4he Mexi- 
cans. 

Before his arrival at the National Bridge. Captain 
Wells had detached thirleen men of Captain Fairchild's 
company, to inform Major Lally of his approach. The 
party succeeded in joining him on the 15th of August, 
at the Plan del Rio, whither he had advanced on the 
previous day. His forage having been exhausted, Ma- 
jor Lally left his train at this point, under a strong 
guard, and moved forward with the main body of his 
command to the pass of Cerro Gordo, which, as he had 
anticipated, was occupied by ihe guerilleros, who still 
clung with the utmost tenacity, to the hope of securing 
the glittering prize promised by their leaders. Three 
hundred yards below the main height of Cerro Gordo 



AFFAIR AT THE NATIONAL BRIDGE. 351 

a barricade, four feet ihick, was thrown across the road; 
and the hills and thickets of chaparral on the right, be- 
tween the National Road and the road cut by General 
Twi<ri2;s, and the intrenchnients and breastworks on the 
series of bluffs upon the l^ft, were filled with Mexicans. 
As the, Americans approached, the enemy commenced 
firing from the hill-side and wooded ravines on the 
right, and Lieutenant Sears immediately brought his 
guns to bear upon them. The fire was continued for 
some time, when Captain Hornsby, of the 12th infantry, 
was ordered to dislodge them with three companies of 
infantry and one of voltigeurs. Moving rapidly through 
the chaparral, he scaled the height, and drove the enemy 
from their position in a few moments. On the left of 
the road, Lieutenant Ridgely, of the 4th infantry, with 
three companies, boldly stormed the intrenchments on 
the central bluff, notwithstanding a destructive fire of 
musketry, and of canister from a nine-pounder gun, 
which the enemy poured down upon his party. The 
work was carried, and two nine-pounder guns and nine 
thousand musket cartridges captured from the enemy. 
Lieutenant Ridgely now turned his fire upon the other 
positions occupied by the Mexicans, and they soon after 
fled at all points. The hills along the road were at 
once ordered to be occupied by detachments of the 
coinmand, and Captain Besangon was then dispatched, 
with fifty mounted men, to communicate with Captain 
Wells. 

Captain Besangon learned that the National Bridge 
was in possession of the enemy, and rightly concluded 
that the reinforcement had been driven back. Upon 
receiving this information, Major Lally pushed tbrward 
with his train, on the 17th instant. The guerilleros had 
become very much dissatisfied with their ill fortune ; — ■ 



352 ARRIVAL AT JALAPA. 

the American artillery at the Puente Nacional had 
committed sad havoc among them, and the heights and 
gorges of Cerro Gordo were covered with their dead 
comrades. In such a service, where the pay was booty, 
and that only to be reached through torrents of cannon 
balls, and over the bayonets of a firm and unflinching 
infantry, there were few inducements for an army of 
bandits. Large numbers of them dispersed to their 
homes ; but in the afternoon of the 19th instant, Major 
Lally was again assailed by the remnant of the band, 
at Las Animas, one and a half miles from Jalapa, who 
had posted themselves behind a stone fence on the left 
of the road. Several rounds of canister discharged 
upon them, and a vigorous charge of infantry, speedily 
cleared the road. The Americans were delayed but 
little more than an hour, and entered the suburbs of 
Jalapa in the evening, where they rested on their arms 
until daylight, on the following morning, when they 
took possession of the town without opposition. 

This hazardous march was accomplished with the 
loss of but one hundred and five men killed, wounded, 
and missing.* Not a single wagon was left upon the 
road, or captured by the enemy. Shortly after he 
reached Jalapa, Major Lally was joined by Colonel 
Wynkoop,! who had heard of the affair at Cerro Gordo, 

♦ In the affair at the National Bridge, Mr. George D. Twiggs, acting 
as an officer, and expecting a commission and an appointment on the 
staff of his relative, General Twiggs, was killed. 

t An amusing incident connected with the guerilleros, in which Col- 
onel Wynkoop performed a prominent part, took place subsequent to the 
evacuation of Jalapa, upon the advance of General Scott from Puebla. 
When the American garrison was withdrawn from the city, four sick 
and wounded officers, not sufficiently recovered to travel, were left be- 
hind in care of the chief alcalde, who treated his guests with great kind- 
ness and humanity. But a few days afterwards he was compelled, by 



SCOTT AT SAN AUGUSTIN. 353 

with about three hundred men. The former concluded 
to remain temporarily at Jalapa, to recruit his com- 
mand, and Colonel Wynkoop returned to Perote. 

The tedious march of General Worth's division, ren- 
dered far more fatiguing in consequence of the labor 
required to fit the road for the passage of their wagon- 
train and artillery, was terminated on the 17th of Au- 
gust, by their arrival at San Augustin,on the Acapulco 
road, — twenty-seven miles from Ayotla, by the route 
traversed by the American army, and nine miles south 
of the city of Mexico. Captain Blake, of the 2nd 
dragoons, in command of the advance guard, had a 
slight skirmish with the enemy's pickets, as he entered 
the town, in which the latter were easily routed. Gen- 
eral Scott came up early in the morning of the 18th, 
and General Worth was then ordered to move along 
the causeway, towards San Antonio, two and a half 
miles further north, to make room for the other divis- 
ions to close on him. On approaching San Antonio, 
it was discovered that the fortifications at that point 
commanded the causeway and the marshes on the left, 
as far as Lake Xochimilco. The right was protected 
by a. pedregal, or field of volcanic rocks, impassable for 
cavalry or artillery, and nearly so for infantry, extend- 
ing some four or five miles westward, to the San An- 

threats of violence, to deliver them up, though very reluctantly, to four 
guerilla chiefs, twro of whom were said to be natural sons of Santa 
Anna, whose bands were in the vicinity. When this was made known 
to Colonel Wynkoop, he formed a project for the capture of four leaders 
of the marauding parties, in order to exchange them for the American 
officers. The expedition was undertaken with secrecy, and was emi- 
nently successful. Four of the guerilla chiefs, and, as it proved, the 
identical persons who had coerced the alcalde, were captured. It is un- 
necessary to add, that they were quite willing to regain their liberty by 
an exchange. 



354 RECONNAISSANCES. 

gel road, which left the San Antonio causeway near 
the tete du ponl, and continued up the valley of the 
Churubusco river, in a south-westerly course, by way 
of Cojohuacan, or Coyoacan, as it is now usually writ- 
ten, and San Angel, to the factory of Magdalena, about 
nine miles from Churubusco. 

General Worth halted his column at a hacienda, 
within fifteen hundred yards of the enemy's works at 
San Antonio, and Captain Mason, assisted by Lieuten- 
ants Stevens and Tower, all of the corps of engineers, 
was sent forward to reconnoitre, supported by Captain 
Thornton with his company of the 2nd dragoons. The 
Mexican batteries opened on the party, when they 
came within range ; the first shot killing Captain Thorn- 
ton, and severely wounding the guide. No practica- 
ble route, even for infantry, could be discovered to turn 
the position on the right, and none on the left, except 
by crossing the pedregal. An assault in front could 
only be made by battering in breach, and the use of 
scaling-ladders and fascines. In the meantime a re- 
connaissance was made by Captain Lee and Lieutenant 
Beauregard, of the engineers, of a mule path leading 
through the pedregal, and intersecting the San Angel 
road about four miles directly west from San Augus- 
tin. Lieutenant Colonel Graham, with the 11th infan- 
try, and Captain Kearny, of the 1st dragoons, with his 
troop, covered the reconnaissance. A large body of 
observation was discovered in that direction, with the 
advance corps of which the supporting party had a 
successful skirmish. A second reconnaissance of this 
route was made in the morning of the 19tb, and Major 
J. L. Smith, the senior engineer officer with the army, 
also made a careful examination of the different ap- 
proaches to the city. These reconnaissances rendered 



ARRANGEMENTS OF SANTA ANNA. 355 

it certain that the mule path could be made practicable 
for artillery, and General Scott at once determined to 
gain the San Angel road, and then move round to the 
attack of San Antonio in rear. 

As soon as it became known that the American army 
had changed their course, and were proceeding south of 
Lake Chalco, to reach the Acapulco road, Santa Anna 
moved the greater part of his forces to the San Antonio 
causeway and its vicinity. The works at San Antonio 
were garrisoned with 3,000 men. Eight guns were 
mounted in the tete dit pont at the Puente del Rosario, 
the fortified bridge near Churubusco. A strong field- 
work was thrown up around the southern front and an- 
gles of the stone church of San Pablo, from three to four 
hundred yards to the right and front of the tete dupont. 
This work, which was also surrounded by a high wall, 
commanded the San Angel road, and a cross-road ex- 
tending about half a mile to the south, where it inter- 
sected a similar road leading from the San Angel road 
to the San Antonio causeway. Seven guns were 
placed in battery at San Pablo, the garrison of which 
was commanded by General Rincon. General Valen- 
cia was posted on the San Angel road with 7,000 men, 
said to have been " the flower of the Mexican army," 
and twenty-four pieces of artillery, half of which were of 
heavy calibre. Santa Anna remained near Coyoacan, 
with the main body, between twelve and fourteen thou- 
sand strong, and General Perez, in command of the re- 
serve, occupied the hacienda of Portales, three-fourths 
of a mile in rear of Churubusco, on the San Antonio 
causeway. In the morning of the 18th of August, Gen- 
eral Valencia was directed to fall back on Coyoacan ; 
but in violation of his orders, as subsequently stated by 



356 THE HILL OF CONTRERAS. 

Santa Anna,* he proceeded to the Hill ofContreras 
where he was permitted to remain, something more 
than two miles beyond San Angel, upon which he in- 
trenched himself, and planted his guns. The troops 
under his command were those discovered by Captain 
Lee on the 18th instant. The hill on which they were 
posted lies in a bend of the San Angel road, that winds 
around its northern and eastern faces, and fronts the 
opening of the mule path along which General Scott de- 
cided to advance. East of the hill and San Angel road, 
and between the latter and the pedregal, is a broad and 
deep ravine, which it was necessary for a party assail- 
ing the position in front, to cross under a plunging fire. 
The guns on the left flank of the intrenched camp 
enfiladed the road descending towards San Angel, for 
more than a mile. 

In conformity with the determination of General 
Scott, the division of General Pillow, and the company 
of sappers and miners, commanded by Lieutenant G. 
W. Smith, were advanced on the morning of the 19th, 
under the direction of Captain Lee of the engineers, to 
open the mule path leading to the San Angel road, and 
General Twiggs was ordered to cover the movement 
in front, with his division. The route was quite hilly, 
and lay partly through fields of corn, and hedges of 
chaparral, growing in the rich intervals of the bai'ren 
and rocky waste, and over ditches filled with water, and 
lined with maguey and prickly pear. General Twiggs 
moved forward with his command — both officers and 
men picking their way on foot — within one mile of the 

* Manifesto of Santa Anna, dated at Mexico, August, 23rd, 1847. — 
The private correspondence between Santa Anna and Valencia, on the 
18th and 19th of August, intercepted by the Americans, corroborates the 
■tatcment in the Manifesto. 



ATTEMPT TO REACH THE SAN ANGEL ROAD. 357 

enemy's position. Captain McLellan of the engineers 
proper, and Lieutenant McLellan of the topographical 
engineers, being sent forward to reconnoitre, they were 
fired upon by the enemy's skirmishers, now occupying 
the ground in front. The rifles, under Major Loring, 
were, brought up to clear the road. This done, General 
Pillow detached from his division Captain Magruder, 
with his field-battery, and the rocket and mountain 
howitzer battery of the volligeurs, in charge of Lieu- 
tenant Callender, of the ordnance. After much severe 
labor in dragging the artillery over the rocks. Captain 
Magruder placed his guns in battery at nine hundred 
yards distance from the Hill of Contreras, and Lieuten- 
ant Callender planted three of his pieces on the left, — 
Lieutenant Reno, also of the ordnance, moving still 
further to the left, with the rocketeers. Colonel Riley, 
with the second brigade of General Twiggs' division, 
received orders to cross the pedregal on the right, and 
having gained the San Angel road, to attack the ene- 
my in rear. General P. F. Smith moved to the left 
and front of the batteries with his brigade, and General 
Pierce, in command of the first brigade of General Pil- 
low's division, took post on the right. 

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the American guns 
opened a lively and well-directed fire on the Mexican 
position, though but partially covered, by ledges of 
rocks, from the incessant shower of balls and howitzer 
shells which fell among them. A fierce cannonade was 
kept up for hours, during which the men at the batter- 
ies, and the brigades of Generals Pierce and Smith, oc- 
casionally engaged with the enemy's skirmishers, suf- 
fered severely. While the battle was raging at this 
point. General Pillow sent General Cadwalader to the 
support of Colonel Riley, with the second brigade of 



358 CROSSING THE PEDKEGAL. 

his division. General Scott arrived at the scene ot 
action a few minutes later, and immediately ordered 
Colonel Morgan, of the 15th infantry, belonging to 
General Pierce's brigade, till then held in reserve, to 
move in the same direction. 

; The severity of the fire, so long gallantly sustained 
by the batteries of Captain Magruder and Lieutenant 
Callender, and the other troops in front, was not abated 
for a moment. General Smith saw that the slope and 
ravine, intervening between his position and that of the 
enemy, could not be crossed except at the imminent 
hazard of the entire destruction of his force. To re- 
main longer in this position was useless. He therefore 
moved round to the rear of Captain Magruder, and 
leaving three companies of the 3rd infantry under Cap- 
tain Craig, a detachment of the rifles under Captain San- 
derson, and a small party of the 1st artillery, to support 
the battery, he also entered the pedregal. Subsequently 
General Shields came up with his brigade of General 
Quitman's division, and was directed, by the General- 
in-chief, to follow the same intricate and difficult path 
over the field of lava, — perhaps resembling nothing so 
much, as what one might fancy, the fabled battle-ground 
of the Titans. The route being wholly impracticable 
for artillery, Captain Taylor, of Twiggs' division, was 
forced to remain behind with his battery. 

The different corps ordered to cross the pedregal, 
were at no time out of range of the heavy guns of the 
intrenched camp of General Valencia. Divested of 
their knapsacks — the officers being dismounted — with 
buoyant and manly strides they sprang from rock to 
rock, — tearing their way through closely matted thick- 
ets of chaparral, climbing over jagged precipices, and 
leaping across wide fissures, and deep chasms. The 



MOVEMENTS OF COLONEL RILEV. 359 

distance to the further side of the pedregal was nearly 
a mile, and, on emerging from the rocks, Colonel Riley 
crossed a ravine, at the bottom of which was a small 
stream. On ascending the opposite slope, he came 
upon the San Angel road, at the hacienda of Ensaldo, 
about fourteen hundred yards north of the Hill of Con- 
treras. Passing another ravine, also the bed of one of 
the tributaries of the Churubusco, he gained a second 
slope or elevation, upon which was the hamlet of San 
Geronimo, or Contreras, four hundred yards west of 
the main road, and connected with it by a narrow lane. 
Beyond the village was a third ravine, to which he ex- 
tended his line, for the purpose of sweeping through the 
hamlet, and driving back the enemy's cavalry, large 
bodies of which had been dispatched by General Va- 
lencia to check the attempt to gain his rear. 

Repeated attempts were made by the enemy's lancers 
to force Colonel Riley to retire, but they were always 
repulsed with loss. Having driven them back upon 
their support, he sheltered his brigade, temporarily, from 
the fire of the Mexican guns, in a ravine south and 
west of San Geronimo. Upon the arrival of Generals 
Cadvvalader and Smith, with their brigades and the 
15th infantry, a heavy force of cavalry and infantry, 
supported by six pieces of artillery, — afterwards ascer- 
tained to consist of 12,000 men, commanded by Santa 
Anna in person, — were discovered advancing from San 
Angel, and occupying the slopes west of the road. 
Colonel Riley now joined the other corps, and General 
Smith, as the senior officer present, took command of 
the united force, at most, but 3,300 stronff. 

General Smith commenced making his dispositions 
for attacking the enemy's columns in th% direction of 
San Angel ; but the delay in the transmission of his 



360 THE NIGHT BIVOUAC. 

instructions, in consequence of the officers being ^^ith- 
out their horses, prevented their completion till long 
after sunset, and his orders were then countermanded. 
The night set in dark and lowering, gloomy and inau- 
spicious. The cold rain began to pour down in tor- 
rents. The American soldiers were posted in the lanes 
and orchards, in the gardens and groves of San Ge- 
ronimo. Feeble in numbers, ignorant of the country 
around, with no fires to cheer them, cold, wet, and hun- 
gry, — they were still sustained by the ambition and 
emulation that had achieved so much, and the soldierly 
pride and daring ready for any enterprise of danger or 
peril. Some few were sheltered in the church, and 
other buildings of the hamlet ; others sought the friendly 
cover of a shrub or tree ; but many lay down on the/ 
damp ground, wholly unprotected from the pelting 
storm. To all it was a lonely bivouac. Those who 
watched were well nigh overpowered with fatigue, and 
those who slumbered, awoke unrefreshed, to listen to 
the wild bowlings of the blast I 

On the other side of the pedregal, all was anxiety and 
suspense. General, Pierce marched the remainder of 
his brigade to the left of the batteries, which ceased 
firing after nightfall. Generals Pillow and Twiggs 
made inefTectual efforts to cross over to the San Angel 
road, and seven different officers, dispatched by Gen- 
eral Scott to communicate instructions to the troops at 
San Geronimo, lost their way in the darkness and were 
compelled to return. 

In the meantime General Smith and his officers had 
assembled in consultation. They were obviously in a 
critical position, and liable at any moment to be sur- 
rounded by an overwhelming force. Had they been 
opposed by an active enemy, they would not have 




GEN. P. F. PMITH. 



GENERAL SMITHS PLAN OF ATTACK. 361 

remained unmolested. A few shots and shells were 
thrown into the hamlet, but without occasioning any 
injury. During the night, two pickets were captured, 
and several Mexicans, who attempted to pass along the 
road, were also taken prisoners. General Valencia fan- 
cied he had completely repulsed the attack on his posi- 
tion, and while he and those around him were holding 
high revel over their imaginary victory, or dozing away 
the precious hours of darkness, the Americans were 
examining the ravines and passes around his camp. 
Lieutenant Tower twice carefully reconnoitred the ra- 
vine between San Geronimo and the hacienda of En- 
saldo, which extended up in rear of the hill, and reported 
that it was practicable, though difficult, for infantry. 
A prompt decision was now made, and orders were is- 
sued to the officers commanding brigades, to have the 
heads of their columns formed on the path leading 
through the village to the ravine, at half-past two 
o'clock on the following morning, in readiness for storm- 
ing the height of Contreras. 

But there was yet one difficulty, — to hold in check 
the large force hovering on the road to San Angel. 
The enterprise must not fail, and the troops required 
for this purpose could not well be spared from the storm- 
ing party. At this juncture, the aid of General Shields 
arrived, with the information that his commander had 
crossed the pedregal with his brigade, consisting of 
about 600 men. About midnight, General Shields 
reached San Geronimo, and on being informed of the 
arrangements for the morning, though the senior offi- 
cer present, he magnanimously declined interfering 
with the plans of General Smith, but reserved to him- 
self the double task of cutting off the retreat of Gen- 
eral Valencia, and holding the other force in check. — 

16 



362 MARCH OF THE TROOPS. 

Captain Lee was dispatched to General Scott to requesi' 
tliat a diversion might be made in front, simultaneously 
with the attack in rear. He succeeded in crossing the 
pedregal, and the necessary instructions were issued for 
a compliance with the request. 

At three o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the 
movement under General Smith commenced. It was 
still raining, and so dark that an object could not be 
seen at the distance of six feet. The men were or- 
dered to keep within touch, that the rear files might 
not go astray. Moving along the narrow path, through 
clayey mud, and over slippery rocks, they cautiously 
approached the Mexican position. Lieutenant Tower 
headed the column ; Colonel Riley led the advance 
with his brigade ; General Cadwalader followed ; and 
the brigade of General Smith, temporarily commanded 
by Major Dimmick, of the 1st artillery, with the com- 
pany of sappers and miners, brought up the rear. As 
the columns marched by a flank, the line was so ex- 
tended, that the morning began to dawn before the 
head of General Cadwaladei''s brigade had reached the 
ravine. 

The day broke heavily. Dark masses of clouds 
drifted across the sky, or rested gloomily over the dis- 
tant mountains. The dusky lines of the force under 
Santa Anna were soon discovered making preparations ^ 
to beat off the attack which they had anticipated. Gen- 
eral Shields occupied the hacienda of Ensaldo and the 
hamlet of San Geronimo, and directed his men to build 
their fires, as if to cook their morning meal. The ene- 
my in front were thus kept in ignorance of the move- 
ment going on in his rear, until it was too late to make a 
successful diversion. 

Having reached a favorable point nearly in rear of 



STORMING OF THE CAMP OF VALENCIA. 363 

the intrenched camp of Valencia, General Smith or- 
dered a halt, and directed the brigades to close up. It 
was now six o'clock. The men examined their pieces, 
and replaced the loads which had been wetted. Colonel 
Riley formed his command into two columns, and ad- 
vanced further up the ravine. He then gave the word, 
and in an instant his men ascended the bank on their 
left. A slight acclivity still remained between him and 
the enemy. That was surmounted, — and the camp lay 
beneath him. Throwing out his leading divisions as 
skirmishers, with a swoop, like that of the eagle darting 
on its prey, he dashed down the slope. The sappers 
and miners, and the rifle regiment, had been thrown 
across an intervening ravine vmder the brow of the 
slope, and now swept it in front of his column. Gene- 
ral Cadwalader hastened to the support of Colonel Ri- 
ley, and Major Dimmick, with the remaining regiments 
of General Smith's brigade, was ordered to face to the 
left, and engage a body of the enemy's cavalry under 
General Torrejon, hastily forming on that flank. 

The boldness and daring of this manoeuvre took the 
enemy by surprise. Colonel Ransom, of the 9th in- 
fantry, in command of the brigade of General Pierce, 
who had been severely hurt by a fall from his horse 
among the rocks, on the 19th instant, together with the 
detached companies of the rifles and the 3rd infantry, 
diverted their attention in front, until Colonel Riley ap- 
peared above the crest of the hill in rear, when they 
also sprang forward to join in the attack. Pouring a 
heavy fire into the enemy's camp, as they rushed down 
the declivity, Colonel Riley and his men gained the in- 
trenchments, unchecked by the torrents of grape and 
musketry which they encountered. Portions of the 
other commands likewise joined in the immediate as- 



364 SLAUGHTER OF THE ENEMY. 

sault. The contest was brief but bloody. In the short 
space of seventeen minutes the work was carried. Ma- 
jor Dimmick drove back the cavalry by a vigorous 
charge, and at the same moment the brigade of Colonel 
Riley leaped over the breastworks, sweeping the enemy 
before them with fixed bayonets, and taking possession 
of their loaded guns. Captain Drum, of the 4th artil- 
lery, was the first to discover, among the pieces in the 
camp, the two guns captured from another company 
of his regiment at the battle of Buena Vista. As the 
word was passed, the officers and soldiers of the 4th 
artillery gathered around the trophies, and rent the air 
with their shouts and cheers.* 

The road to San Angel was now blocked up with a 
crowd of fugitives hastening from the scene of their 
disaster, and General Shields promptly interposed his 
command to intercept the retreat. Many were killed 
by the fire of the guns fi'om the camp, which were 
turned upon them as they fled ; General Valencia and 
a considerable portion of his troops escaped towards 
the mountains ; and large numbers were taken prison- 
ers. Twenty-two pieces of artillery,: — seven hundred 
pack mules and many horses, — and great quantities of 
shells, ammunition, and small arms, were captured. 
Seven hundred of the enemy were killed, one thousand 
wounded, and eight hundred, including four general offi- 
cers, taken prisoners. The Americans lost but sixty, 
killed and wounded, in the assault. 

General Scott had directed General Worth to leave 
one of his brigades to mask the position at San Anto- 
nio, and to join him with the other early in the morning 

* These two guns, with other captured pieces, were organized into a 
battery, and placed in charge of Captain Drum, and his company of 
the 4th artillery. 



GENERAL. WORTH MOVING UPON SAN ANTONIO. 365 

of the 20th, intending to move forward to support the 
assault of the intrenched camp of Valencia. General 
Quitman, who had previously occupied San Augustin,the 
general depot of the army, with the 2nd Pennsylvania, 
and the battalion of marines, constituting his second 
brigade, received similar instructions ; and Colonel 
Harney was ordered to garrison San Augustin with 
the cavalry. These orders were executed ; and while 
General Scott was advancing in the direction of Con- 
treras, he received the cheering intelligence that the 
work had been already carried. General Worth was 
now sent back to threaten vSan Artonio, and attack it 
in front, when the General-in- chief had moved round 
through San Angel and Coyoacan, with the troops on 
that roaa and had made his appearance in the rear. 
General Quitman returned to San Augustin with his 
command, and the cavalry brigade under Colonel Har- 
ney followed General Scott to the San Angel road. 

Immediately after the works on the hill of Contreras 
were carried, the Mexican reserves commanded by 
Santa Anna, began to retire towards Churubusco. 
Major Gardner, with the 4th artillery, and detachments 
from other regiments, was left in charge of the pris- 
oners, and the American troops were forming for the 
pursuit, when General Twiggs arrived, and ordered 
them to move rapidly forward. At San Angel Gen- 
eral Pillow assumed the command. The rifle regi- 
ment, in the advance, had repeated skirmishes with 
the enemy's rear, upon which they kept up a galling 
fire. At Coyoacan the columns were halted to await 
the arrival of General Scott, and receive further in- 
structions. 

In none of the actions that took place during his 
campaign in Mexico, was the old war spirit of General 



366 ORDERS OF GENERAL SCOTT. 

Scott, which shone so brightly <":i the plains of Niagara, 
more fully aroused than on this occasion. Arrived at 
Coyoacan, the v/hole scene of action lay before him. 
In a few seconds all the officers of his staff were hurry- 
ing with his orders to different parts of the field. 
General Pillow, wath the brigade of General Cadwala- 
der, following a reconnaissance by Captain Lee, sup- 
ported by the rifles, w^as directed to attack San Anto- 
nio in rear. General Twiggs, accompanied by Major 
Smith, of the engineers, was ordered to follow the com- 
pany of sappers and miners, supporting Lieutenant 
Stevens in a reconnaissance, and attack the church of 
San Pablo, w4th (ae brigade of General Smith, and 
Captain Taylor's battery, followed by the brigade under 
Colonel Riley. After a brief interval, Gene' al Pierce, 
though suffering severely from the injury he had re- 
ceived, but still able to keep the saddle, was dispatched 
by a third road, further to the left, to turn the right flank 
of the enemy, and gain their rear, with his brigade, and 
the howitzer and rocket battery, now commanded by 
Lieutenant Reno ; and immediately thereafter, Gene- 
ral Shields, with the I'few York and South Carolina 
volunteers, forming the brigade under his command, 
was sent in the same direction, with orders to take 
command of the left wing. The troops were now all 
employed ; and, almost alone and unattended, Genera] 
Scott followed closely after the division of General 
Twiggs for protection. 

The orders issued to General Pillow were antici- 
pated by the prompt and energetic movements of Gen- 
eral Worth. On returning to his position in front of 
San Antonio, he determined forthwith to advance upon 
the works. The first brigade, under Colonel Garland, 
consisting of the 2nd artillery, Major Gait, 3rd artil- 



FALL OF SAN ANTONIO. 367 

lery, Lieutenant Colonel Belton, and the 4t.h infantry, 
Major Lee, with the battery under Lieutenant Colonel 
Duncan, moved slowly along the causeway to an angle 
which partially masked them from the enemy's fire, 
and, at the same time, Colonel Clarke made a detour to 
the left, with the second brigade, and the light battalion, 
under .Lieutenant Colonel Smith, through thickets of 
chaparral, and across the wide bed of lava, to envelope 
the right of the position, and cut off the retreat of the 
enemy. Before the movement could be completed, the 
garrison at San Antonio, alarmed at the capture of the 
intrenched camp of Contreras, commenced evacuating 
the works. Guided by Captam Mason, of the engi- 
neers. Colonel Clarke performed his weary march, of 
more than two miles, in a very short time ; but, on ap- 
proaching the causeway, twelve hundred yards in rear 
of San Antonio, the enemy were discovered in full re- 
treat towards Churubusco. Preceded by two compa- 
nies of the 5th infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Scott, the brigade advanced upon the road and cut the 
Mexican column in two — one portion continuing their 
retreat upon Churubusco, and the other filing off to the 
hamlet of Dolores, between- the causeway and Lake 
Xochimilco. As soon as Colonel Clarke opened his 
fire. Colonel Garland advanced rapidly in column upon 
San Antonio. The enemy had withdrawn most of 
their guns. Five pieces, however, which they had 
abandoned, large stores of public property, and a num- 
ber of prisoners, among whom was one general, were 
captured. 

Six hundred yards in advance of San Antonio, Gen- 
eral Worth reunited his division, and pressed forward 
with alacrity upon the strong fortifications at Churu- 
busco. Santa Anna had now concentrated his forces, 



368 ENTHUSIASM OF THE SOLDIERS. 

at least 25,000 in number, at the tete du .p37it and the 
fortified church of San Pablo, and upon their flanks, 
and in the interval and rear. The cornfields were 
filled with his skirmishers, and the wall around the 
church, its roof and towers, and the tops of the adjoin- 
ing convent, and other buildings along the line of bat- 
tle, were crowded with dense masses of infantry. 

Approaching Churubusco, General Worth detached 
the first brigade and the light battalion, obliquely to the 
right, to drive the Mexican infantry from the cornfields 
and marshes, and approach the fortified work at the 
bridge on that flank. The Gth infantry, under Major 
Bonneville, moved directly along the high road to storm 
the tete du pont in front, exposed, meanwhile, to a rak- 
ing fire of grape, canister, and musketry. The remain- 
ing regiments of the second brigade — the 5th and 8th 
infantry, under Colonel Mcintosh and Major Waite — 
advanced immediately upon the right of the road, to 
co-operate in the assault. Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, 
being unable to counter-batter the heavier metal in 
front, remained in reserve. 

While giving directions to his battalions. General 
Worth was joined by General Pillow. The latter had 
turned to the left on hearing of the fall of San Antonio, 
had crossed over two deep ditches, with the brigade of 
General Cad walader — the rifle regiment having rejoined 
their brigade — and was advancing against the enemy in 
his front. The officers of his command were all dis- 
mounted, and struggled, with their men, through the 
marshes, on foot. Such was the spirit of enthusiasm 
manifested by the troops, that the feeling was commu- 
nicated to those the least liable to be moved by it ; and 
Chaplain McCarty, cf Colonel Clarke's brigade, was the 
first to assist in puUing down the growing corn, to fill 



SEVERITY OF THE BATTLE. 369 

up a ditch for the passage of the troops under General 
Pillow. 

The brigade of General Smith, with which General 
Twiggs moved upon the defences of San Pablo, was 
soon warmly engaged. One of the most terrific fires 
ever witnessed, was poured upon the column from both 
musketry and artillery. The leading companies of the 
1st artillery were almost swept away. Captain Taylor 
brought his battery up, and opened on the enemy — per- 
sisting in holding his position, though fearfully exposed, 
regardless of the carnage produced around him. 

Having advanced far enough on the road which he 
was directed to follow, to gain the Mexican rear. Gen- 
eral Pierce turned to the right with his brigade. Mak- 
ing their way through the fields of corn, and flounder- 
ing through the difficult morasses, his troops approached 
the enemy at the hacienda of Portales. General Shields 
arrived in a short time with his command, and moved 
further to the left. Sheltered by the stone buildings 
upon and near the causeway, the Mexicans delivered a 
most effective fire upon the two columns, and the ac- 
tion now became general along the entire line. 

For more than two hours a continuous roar of artil- 
lery shook the earth. The sharp roll of musketry was 
incessant. Broad torrents of flame rolled down from 
the enemy's fortifications. Lurid columns of smoke 
shot up towards the sky, and mingled in a heavy can- 
opy over the field of combat. The air seemed "full of 
daggers." 

The clangor of the battle was wild and high, and the 
voices of the officers could no longer be heard in the 
din. Numbers fell at every discharge, — yet, resistless 
and impetuous as the waters of the ocean, on swept 

16* 



370 CAPTURE OF SAN PABLO. 

the American soldiers, wave upon wave, bearing every 
thing before them. 

The Mexican left was first agitated and thrown into 
disorder. The 8th and 5th infantry — the latter now 
led by Lieutenant Colonel Scott, Colonel Clarke having 
been wounded, and Colonel Mcintosh taking command 
of the brigade — crossed the ditch, and carried the tete 
du pont with the bayonet. The fith infantry was not 
far behind, and the 11th and 14th infantry, under Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Graham and Colonel Trousdale, followed 
immediately thereafter. About the same time, the 
Mexican infantry, opposed to Colonel Garland's brig- 
ade and the light battalion, began to waver and break, 
and retreated towards the causev/ay, with the victors 
dashing after them in pursuit. 

At San Pablo the enemy still held out. Captain Tay- 
lor's battery had been sadly crippled, and was ordered 
out of range. Captain L. Smith, and Lieutenant Snel- 
ling, of the 8th infantry, instantly turned the fire of one 
of the guns captured in the tcte du pont, upon the 
church; and a section of Lieutenant Colonel Duncan's 
battery, supported by the voltigeurs under Colonel An- 
drews, was also brought to bear upon the principal face 
of the work, at a short range, from the San Antonio . 
causeway. This determined the contest. The 3rd in- 
fantry, under Captain Alexander, followed by the 1st 
artillery, under Major Dimmick, now pressed forward 
for the assault, and Colonel Riley was moving against 
the left flank of the position, with the 2nd infantry, 
under Captain Morris, and the 7th infantry, under Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Plympton. Captain Smith and Lieuten- 
ant Shepherd, with their companies of the 3rd infantry, 
gallantly entered the work, and planted the regimental 
colors, as the enemy threw out white flags, on all sides 



THE LEFT WING. 371 

of the church, as signals of surrender. General Rincon, 
the commanding officer, and a large number of other 
officers and soldiers, among whom was a battalion, mostly 
foreigners, composed of deserters from the American 
army, were made prisoners. General Scott, who had 
been wounded by a grape shot, arrived at the church 
soon after the surrender, and was greeted with deaf- 
ening cheers by his brave troops. 

On the extreme left, the brigades of General Shields 
and Pierce had sustained themselves manfully. Faint- 
ing from pain and exhaustion, General Pierce was borne 
from the field. The 9th infantry under Colonel Ran- 
som, the 12th under Captain Wood — Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Bonham having been wounded in the morning — 
and the 15th under Colonel Morgan, advanced against 
the enemy with the steadiness of veterans. Colonel 
Morgan was severely wounded, and transferred the 
command of his regiment to Lieutenant Colonel How- 
ard. Colonel Butler, of the South Carolina volunteers, 
fell dead in the thickest of the fight, and Lieutenant 
Colonel Dickinson also receiving a mortal wound, Ma- 
jor Gladden assumed the command. Colonel Burnett 
was likewise dreadfully wounded, and Lieutenant Col- 
onel Baxter took charge of the New York regiment. 
It was a noble sight to witness the strife between the 
Palmettos and the New Yorkers. Side by side, and 
shoulder to shoulder, they moved against the enemy, 
each striving to be foremost in the encounter. Twice 
were the colors of the New York regiment shot down, 
but they were snatched again by some brave spirit, 
ready to peril all in their defence. Both regiments lost 
more than one-third of their number in this fearful 
struggle, and the clothing of the survivors was literally 
riddled by the bullets. At length, the fire of the Amer- 



372 COMPLETE DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 

ican muskets, and the howitzer battery actively served 
by Lieutenant Reno, aided by the panic communicated 
by the troops giving way in front, and followed by a 
charge with the bayonet, caused the enemy's infantry 
to falter, and with their supports of cavalry, to retreat 
towards the capital. General Shields instantly fol- 
lowed, and succeeded in taking a number of prisoners. 
Major Sumner had been ordered to support the left 
wing, understood to be hardly pressed, with the rifles, 
previously held in reserve, and a troop of the 2nd dra- 
goons under Captain Sibley, but he did not come up until 
the contest was over. 

The Mexicans no longer made serious resistance. 
The causeway was covered with the masses of the re- 
treating troops ; and General Shields, with his command, 
meeting the forces of Generals Worth and Pillow in 
the road, joined them in the pursuit. At the special 
request of Colonel Harney, the way was cleared, and he 
was permitted to follow the enemy with a part of his 
brigade, up to the gate of San Antonio, interchanging 
sabre-cuts with the Mexican lancers, and cutting down 
all who refused to surrender. The recall was sounded 
when the battery at the garita opened on the pursuing 
force ; but Captain Kearny, of the 1st dragoons, who 
headed the charge with his troop, and that of Captain 
McReynolds of the 3rd, persisted in remaining unti'i 
Major Mills, of the 15th infantry, who accompanied 
him, was killed, and most of the officers of the squad- 
ron, himself among the number, were badly wounded. 

The trophies of this memorable day, which had wit- 
nessed such a series of brilliant triumphs, including the 
captures at Contreras, were thirty-seven pieces of siege 
and field ordnance ; large numbers of small arms, stand- 
ards, pack n.ules and horses ; and vast quantities of 



RESULTS OF THE VICTORY. 373 

shot, shells, and ammunition. The enemy lost 4,000 
men in killed and wounded, and there were 205 officers 
and 2,432 rank and file, taken prisoners. Among the 
captured officers wei'e Generals Garey, Anaya, Salas, 
Mendoza, Blanco, Garcia, Arellano, and Rincon. The 
first two being members of the Mexican Conjrress, were 
unconditionally released, by order of General Scott.* 
Generals Frontera and Mexia were killed. 

The American loss, though much less in proportion, 
was still very severe. There were 137 killed, embrac- 
ing some of the bravest and most estimable officers, 
879 wounded, and 40 missing.f 

At sunset the battle was ended. Taking advantage 
of the panic that prevailed, General Scott might, per- 
haps, have immediately forced his way into the capital. 
He had but 8,000 effijctive men, most of whom had 
been fasting, and fighting with the elements and the 
enemy, for the last thirty-six hours ; and the enterprise 
was too hazardous to be undertaken. The powers 
of endurance of his men might have sustained them 
still further ; but had they proved unequal to the task, 
the morning sun would have smiled on their folly and 
disgrace. 

• Report of Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock, acting Inspector General, 
August 25th. 1847. 

•f Nineteen American officers were killed, or mortally wountleJ, dur- 
ing the operations of the I8th, 19th, and 20th of August, viz:— Captain 
Thornton, 2nd dragroons; Captains Capron and M. T. Burke, and 
Lieutenants Hoffjnan, Irons, and Johnstone, 1st artillery; Captain 
J. W. Anderson and Lieutenant Easly, 2nd infantry ; Lieutenant Ba- 
con, Gth infantry; Captain Hanson, 7th infantry; Major Mills, Cap- 
tain Quarles, and Lieutenants Goodman and Goodloe, 15th infantry; 
Lieutenant Chandler, New York Volunteers ; and Colonel Butler, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Dickinson, and Lieutenants Adams and Williams, of 
the South Carolina volunteers. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

EL MOLINO DEL KEY. 

The Armistice— Fruitless attempt at Negotiation — Bad faith of the Mex- 
ican authorities— Political dissensions — Violation and Rupture of the 
Truce — Correspondence between General Scott and Santa Anna — 
Reconnaissances — Assault of El Molino del Rey and Casa de Mata 
— Severity of the Action — The enemy driven from their Position. 

With a victorious enemy knocking at the gates of 
the Capital, and the booming thunder of their artillery 
echoing through the valley, the Mexican government 
and people iiad cause for alarm and apprehension. 
Their last stronghold was at the mercy of the con- 
queror. They had been steadily driven from one de- 
fence to another, — and the final overwhelming defeat 
at Contreras and Churubusco, filled the city with con- 
sternation. In this season of tribulation there was no 
lack of counsellors. Some, mindful of the heroism dis- 
played by their gallant kinsmen at Saragossa, exhorted 
their countrymen to convert every house into a fortifi- 
cation, and, if summoned to surrender, to return, as their 
only answer, " War, to the knife !" Others appealed to 
the memories of Iturbide, Hidalgo, and Morelos, the 
heroes of Mexican Independence, and entreated their 
descendants to imitate their bravery and daring. 

The enemies of Santa Anna attributed the disasters 
which had befallen the armies of the republic, to his in- 
competency as a commander ; but this was no time for 
unavailing complaints. The peril was imminent, — the 
crisis immediate. There was but one alternative : — 



EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY. 375 

they must either abandon the indefensible position 
which they had hitherto occupied, — that of refusing to 
hear any proposition from the American government, — 
or prepare to meet her soldiers, foot to foot, for a last 
struggle, like the dauntless Guatemozin and his brave 
Aztecs, at their own firesides. 

Santa Anna and his ministers instantly decided upon 
procuring a cessation of hostilities, — not so much with 
the hope of concluding a peace, unless it would leave 
him firmly sealed in power, as for the purpose of gain- 
ing time to revive the spirits of his soldiers, and to 
strengthen the defences of the city. At his instigation, 
the British Consul, with other foreign residents, visited 
General Scott, on the night of the 20th of August, 
while the smoke of the conflict still lingered over the 
battle field, and admonished him not to be too precipitate, 
lest a spirit of national desperation should be aroused, 
and the war unnecessarily protracted. They also rep- 
resented, that the Mexican President was disposed to 
enter into negotiations, but that the influence of his en- 
emies was so great, and the popular prejudices were 
such, that he was unable to make the first advances. 
Remembering that his mission was to conquer, not the 
country, but a fair and honorable peace, General Scott 
had already determined to give the enemy time for re- 
flection, and to sacrifice to patriotism, " the eclat that 
would have followed an entrance, sword in hand, into 
a great capital."* Though nothing definite was de- 
cided on at this interview, his visitors parted from him 
with the assurance, that he would do nothing derogatory 
to the character he had exhibited throughout the cam- 
paign, — that of a magnanimous victor. 

* Official report of General Scott to the Secretary of War, August 
28th, 18-17. 



376 THE ARMISTICE. 

While making his preparations at Coyoacan, on the 
morning of tha 21st, to take up the necessary battering 
or assaulting positions, to authorize him to summon the 
city to surrender, General Scott was waited on by 
General Mora y Villamil, who came out to propose a 
truce. The terms which were suggested being unsatis- 
factory, the American commander dispatched his con- 
templated note to Santa Anna, omitting the summons 
to surrender, and signifying his willingness to consent 
to an armistice with a view to negotiation.* On the 
same day a reply was received from Alcorta, the Mexi- 
can Minister of War, accepting the proposition, and 
stating that Generals Mora y Villamil and Quijano had 
been appointed Commissioners on the part of the Mexi- 
can government, to settle the terms of the armistice. 
Generals Quitman, 1\ F. Smith, and Pierce, were se- 
lected by General Scott to represent the American 
army ; and on the 24th instant, the armistice, signed by 
the Commissioners, was duly ratified by the command- 
ers of the two armies. 

* The note written by General Scott was as follows : 

'• Head Quarters, Army U. S. America, f 
Coyoacan, August 21, 1847. \ 

"To his Excellency, tiie President and General ( 
in Cliief iif the Kepnblic of Mexico. \ 

" Sir :— Too much blood has already been shed in this unnatural war 
between the two great Republics of this Continpnt. It is time that th« 
differences between them should be amicably and honorably settled ; and 
it is known to your Excellency, that a Commissioner on the part of the 
United States, clothed with full powers to that end, is with this army. 
To enable the two Re|)ublics to enter on negotiation, I am willing to 
sign, on reasonable terms, a short armistice. 

" I shall wait with impatience until to-morrow morning for a direct 
answer to this communication ; but shall, in the meantime, seize and 
occupy such positions outside of the capital, as I may deem necessary 
to the shelter and comfort of this army. 

" I have the honor to remain, with high consideration and respect, 
your Excellency's most obedient servant. 



APPOINTMENT OP COMMISSIONERS. 377 

The convention thus agreed upon, — which was to 
remain in force while negotiations were in progress, or 
until formal notice should be given, by either com- 
mander, of its cessation, and for forty-eight hours there- 
after, — provided, among other conditions, that neither 
army should be reinforced during its continuance; that 
nothing should be done to enlarge or strengthen any 
work of ofTence or defence, within thirty leagues of 
the city of Mexico ; that no new work of that charac- 
ter should be commenced ; that the passage of supplies 
from the country into the city, and from the city or the 
country into the American camp, should not be ob- 
structed ; and that trade should remain unmolested.* 

Immediately after the conclusion of the armistice, 
Generals Herreraf and Mora y Villamil, and Seiiores 
Conto and Atristain, were appointed Commissioners by 
the Mexican authorities, to treat with Mr. Trist, the 
American Commissioner, who had accompanied General 
Scott from Puebla. The mission of the latter was 
solely a precautionary measure, adopted in consequence 
of the distance from the seat of war to the capital of 
the United States ; and as the confidential agent of the 
Executive, with very little discretionary power, he took 
with him the projet, or outlines, of a treaty prepared 
at Washington. 

♦ Senate Exec. Doc. 1, (p. 35G,) 1st session, 30th Congress. 

•f Herrera, at first, declined the appointment, upon the ground that he 
had been ostracized, on a former occasion, for expressing a willingness 
to hear the propositions of Mr. Slidcll. Though ready enough to con- 
nive at the fraud about to be practised on the American army, he did 
not care to be an active participator in the transaction. Subsequently, 
however, he was persuaded to accept, — influenced, probably, by the fact, 
that under the full instructions prepared by Santa Anna and his cabi- 
net, who assumed all the responsibility, the Commissioners were the 
mere passive agents of the Executive. — Senate Exec. Doc. 1, (p. 41,) 
' 1st session, 30th Congress. 

X Letter of Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Trist, July I3th, 1847. 



378 FIRST PROPOSITION OF MR. TEIST. 

Several conferences were held between the Commis- 
sioners of the two governments, and on the 27th of Au- 
gust, Mr. Trist submitted a proposition, in accordance 
with his instructions, which provided, in substance, that 
there should be a firm and universal peace ; that all 
forts, with their armaments, and all territories and pos- 
sessions, captured by the American army, belonging to 
Mexico, under the terms of the treaty, should be re- 
stored to her; that the boundary line between the two re- 
publics should be the Rio Grande, to its intersection with 
the southern boundary of New Mexico, and thence to 
run along such boundary, and the western line of New 
Mexico, to the first branch, or to some point nearest the 
first branch of the Rio Gila, and thence down the Rio 
Gila, the Rio Colorado, and the Gulf of California, to 
the Pacific ocean ; and that, as a consideration for this 
extension of the boundaries of the United States, the 
latter should satisfy the claims of her citizens against 
the Mexican government, and, in addition thereto, pay 
to Mexico a certain sum of money, to be fixed upon be- 
fore signing the treaty.* 

It was well understood by the Commissioners of both 
countries, that Mexico was without the means to dis- 
charge the American claims, and indemnify the United 
States for the expenses of the war, except by the ces- 
sion of some part of her territory. But the Mexican 
Commissioners were unwilling to adopt the Rio Grande 
as a boundary line, or to cede any thing, except an in- 
considerable portion of California. Prevarication and 
delay characterized their proceedings, as they had for- 

* Senate Exec. Doc. 20, (p. 4,) 1st session, 30th Congress. — By an 
act of Congress, passed at the session of 1S4G-7, the sum of three mill- 
ions of dollars was placed at the disposal of the President of the United 
States, to be employed, if necessary, in the negotiation of a peace. 



SECOND PROPOSITION. 379 

merly done those of other Mexican negotiators. At a 
conference held on the 2nd of September, Mr. Trist 
stated to the Mexican Commissioners, that if they would 
submit to him a proposition, — providing that the boun- 
dary line should follow the course of the Nueces to the 
Lagunade las Yuntas — thence running westward to the 
RioPuerco — thence up that river to the parallel of lati- 
tude, six geographical miles north of the fort at El Pasa 
del Norte, on the Rio Grande* — thence west along that 
parallel to the western boundary of New Mexico — 
thence, following the line prescribed in his first proposi- 
tion, to the mouth of the Rio Gila — thence up or down 
that river to the thirty-third parallel of latitude — and 
thence along that parallel to the Pacific ocean ; and tha-t 
the territory between the Rio Grande and the Nueces 
should remain forever neutral, to be occupied by the 
citizens of neither republic, — he would transmit it to 
his government by express, and await its action. f 

The Mexican Commissioners were willing to submit 
this proposition, or rather they professed a willingness 
to submit it, but refused to grant the necessary time for 

* This is, very nearly, the southern boundary of New BTexico; con- 
sequently, the proposed line would have embraced almost the whole of 
that province. 

f Senate Exec. Doc. 20, (p. 8,) 1st session, 30th Congress. — The in- 
vitation of Mr. Trist to the Mexican Commissioners, to submit this pro- 
position, was unauthorized by the President of the United States, and 
was promptly disapproved. — Special Jlcssagc of President Polk, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1813. Had not this novel idea, — of a boundary, to consist of 
a neutral strip of land, — been countenanced by many eminent states- 
men, it would have very little to recommend it to favor. No govern- 
ment, and, least of all, one whose highest aim it ougiit to be, to avoid all 
causes of contention, should desire to be bounded by neutral territory, 
which must necessarily become, in spite of laws and regulations, the 
refuge and hiding-place of outlaws and bandits, — and the theatre of in- 
cessant broils and strifes, in which, sooner or later, the contiguous goT- 
eruments would be involved. 



380 COUNTER-PROJKT. 

Mr. Trist to communicate with his government. The 
insincerity of the professions of the Mexican authori- 
ties in relation to their desire to conclude a peace, was 
now made manifest ; but, on the 0th of September, their 
Commissioners, aware that they must submit some for- 
mal proposition, in order to preserve appearances, pre- 
sented to Mr. Trist a counter-projet, in which it was 
required that all forts, with their armaments, and all 
territories and possessions captured by the American 
army, and all the artillery taken outside such forts, 
should be restored ; that the dividing line between the 
two republics should be the Nueces to its source, — 
thence to run, in a straight line, to the east-south-east 
frontier of New Mexico — thence along the boundary 
of New Mexico, on the east, north, and west, to the 
thirty-seventh degree of latitude — and thence along 
that parallel to the Pacific ocean — Mexico undertaking 
not to found any new settlements or colonies in the ter- 
ritory lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande; 
that the United States should pay the American claims, 
and also make a pecuniary compensation to Mexico ; 
and further, that the claims of Mexican citizens, for in- 
juries sustained in the prosecution of the war by the 
American army, should be satisfied by the government 
of the United States.* 

Leaving out of view the other objectionable features 
of the counter-projet of the Mexican Commissioners, — 
the sui-render of the artillery captured outside of the 
permanent fortifications of Mexico, and the indemnity 
to be paid to her citizens, — which could never have been 
submitted to with honor, the territory proposed to be 
ceded was of comparatively insignificant value. The 
boundaries specified by the Mexican Commissioners 

♦ Senate F.xec. Doc. 20, (p. 12,) 1st session, 30th Congress. 



THE NEGOTIATION'S CLOSED. 381 

embraced only a small portion of California, including, 
it is true, the bay and harbor of San Francisco; but, 
without some portion, or all of New Mexico, the terri- 
tory thus acquired would have been, in eflect, isolated 
from the other American possessions. Mr. Trist there- 
fore informed the Mexican Commissioners, on the 7th 
of September, that the terms proposed by them were 
wholly inadmissible, and the negotiations were here 
closed.* Previous to this time, however, the armistice 
conceived and concluded, on the part of Santa Anna, 
in bad faith, had been finally violated without excuse 
or justification.! 

The foreign residents of Mexico, and the wealthier 
citizens, whose property was liable to be injured by an 
assault or bombardment, were averse to a continuation 
of the war ; but the political opponents of Santa Anna, 
Herrera and the leading federalists among the number, 
preferred hostilities, to the conclusion of a peace under 
his auspices ; the followers of Paredes, aware of his re- 
turn to Mexico, and influenced by similar motives, were 
also clamorous against peace ; J the friends of the Mex- 

* Senate Exec. Doc. 20, (p. 14,) 1st session, 30th Congress. 

f Among the papers found in the National Palace of Mexico, after 
the capture of the city by the American army, was a letter addressed by 
Santa Anna, on the IJlst of August, 1847, to Rejon, then at Q,ueretaro, 
in which he assures his friend, that he assented to the application of 
General Scott for an armistice, because it would ■' give his troops rest, 
re-establish their morale,^' and afford him " an opportunity to collect the 
dispersed," and enable hi:n "to adopt other measures to insure are- 
action." It is possible, however, that Santa Anna may have really de- 
sired peace, provided he could maintain himself in power; and hence, 
probably, with a hope of preserving his own influence at home, rather 
than for any other purpose, the conditions and instructions prepared by 
him and his cabinet, for the government of the Commissioners, upon 
which their counter-projct was based, assumed that Mexico was the 
triumphant party to the war. 

\ Paredes returned from his exile at Havana, and was landed at Ven 



882 POLITICAL DISSENSIONS, 

ican President, as well as himself, saw that the parch- 
ment on which a treaty should be written, would not 
become dry, ere he would be hurled from power ; and 
the clergy were obliged to favor the prolongation of the 
contest, through fear lest, if they refused, their churches 
would be plundered by the military demagogues, who 
could not forget their animosities, even when their 
country was in peril. 

At a previous session of the Mexican Congress, a 
resolution had been passed, providing for the removal 
of that body to Queretaro when the capital should be 
in danger. Disregarding the spirit of this resolution, 
on the 21st of August, Santa Anna called a meeting 
of Congress, to be held in the city of Mexico, while the 
negotiations were in progress, in order that the mem- 
bers might be conveniently situated to act on any propo- 
sition, having reference to such negotiations, that might 
be submitted to them. This furnished a pretext for 
complaint, of which his enemies were prompt to avail 
themselves. On the 22nd of August, the deputies of 
Mexico, Jalisco, and Zacatecas, mainly federalists, or 
monarchists, like Paredes, signed a protest denouncing, 
in advance, any treaty, concluded or ratified under the 
guns of the enemy. The " Diario del Gobierno"' insisted, 
on the following day, that the proposition of General 
Scott for an armistice, was acceded to, " without abate- 
ment of Mexican honor — tried, yet not cast down by 
the most disastrous fortune ;" — but the opponents of 
Santa Anna, though willing that he should continue the 
war until his military reputation was forever destroyed, 

Cruz, in violation of the blockade, on the 1 5th of August, 1847, from 
the British steamer Teviot, one of the vessels oJ the Royal IMail Steam 
Packet Company. In justice to the company it must be adJetl, that 
upon a representation of the facts, the board of directors promptly dis- 
missed the captain of the steamer from their service. 



MEXICAN FAITH. 383 

were opposed to his concluding a peace with the enemy, 
and were powerful enough to prevent it. Seventy 
members of Congress retired to Toluca, declaring their 
unwillingness to deliberate in the capital ; and on the 
30th of August, the Congress of the State of Mexico, 
in session at Toluca, pronounced against peace. Simi- 
lar sentiments were heard from the rabble in the streets, 
instigated by the clergy and the disaffected ; the pas- 
sage of supplies to the army of General Scott, was re- 
peatedly obstructed by the populace, and soldiers in dis- 
guise ; American traders, long residents of the city, 
were molested ; and the Mexican authorities did not, 
or dare not, interfere to prevent those violations of the 
armistice. 

Matters were thus unfavorably situated, when Mr. 
Trist invited the Mexican Commissioners to submit to 
him the proposition laid before them on the 2nd of 
September. This was regarded as his ullhnatum on 
the subject of boundaries, and as soon as it had been 
considered in a council of ministers and others, before 
the Mexican Commissioners presented their counter- 
projet, and without notice to the American com- 
mander, Santa Anna, under cover of the darkness, and 
in violation of the armistice, actively recommenced 
strengthening the defences of the city, — alleging, sub- 
sequently, in a note to General Scott, that the works 
already constructed had been merely repaired, so as to 
place them in the same condition they were in on the 
conclusion of the armistice.* Determined no longer 
to place any reliance on the Punic faith of the Mexican 

* Official Report of General Scott to the Secretary of War, Septem- 
ber 11th, 1847 — Reply of Santa Anna to General Scott, September Cth, 
1847. — At the council convoked by Santa Anna, it was determined that 
hostilities should be recommenced on the 9th instant. 



■Q94 RUPTURE OF THE ARiMISTICE. 

government, General Scott, who had removed his head- 
quarters .to Tacubaya, notified Santa Anna on the 6th 
of September, that, unless full satisfaction was given 
for the violation of the armistice, before twelve o'clock, 
meridian, on the following day, he should consider it 
at an end from and after that hour. The reply of the 
Mexican President, dated on the same day, but re- 
ceived on the morning of the 7th, was pronounced by 
General Scott to be " absolutely and notoriously false, 
both in recrimination and explanation."* 

So careful had General Scott been in regard to in- 
fringing the armistice, that the engineer officers had 
suspended their reconnaissances, while his troops re- 
mained quietly cantoned in Tacubaya, and the neigh- 
boring villages. The city and its fortifications had, 
therefore, yet to be reconnoitred, before any definite 
plan of attack could be laid down. The enemy being 
reported to be manceuvring on the San Antonio cause- 
way, on the morning of the 7th of September, Captaiti 
Lee was dispatclied to observe their movements, but 
found all quiet in that quarter, and on the Niiio Per- 
dido and Piedad causeways, intervening between the 
. San Antonio, and Tacubaya, or Chapultepec, cause- 
ways. Two days previous, General Scott had been 
informed, that a number of church-bells had been sent 
out from the city to El Molino del Rey, where there 

• Senate Exec. Doc. 1, (pp. 355, 359, 3G0,) 1st session, 30th Congest. 
Santa Anna charged the American army, in his reply to General Scott, 
with plundering the Mexican churches, and oflering violence to their 
women. Nothing could have been more false or groundless. No dis- 
respect was ever shown to the religion of the Mexican people, or to their 
places of worship, which went unpunished, if brought to the knowledge 
of the American officers; and at Vera Cruz, a soldier was hung for 
committin<y an outrage upon a Mexican woman, — General Scott firmly 
refufiiog to pardon the offence. 



RECONNAISSANCES. 385 

was said to be a cannon foundry, to be cast into guns. 
It was also known, that there was a large deposit of 
powder in Casa de Mata, — that the ammunition was 
much needed by the enemy, — and that, without the 
manufacture of new pieces, they would be unable to 
arm all the works at the different sates. 

In the forenoon of the 7th instant, Captain Mason 
made a reconnaissance of El Molino del Rey, — ap- 
proaching near enough to the Mexican lines to con- 
verse witn the officers, — and discovered a large body 
of troops in the vicinity. General Scott accordingly 
determined to leave the general plan of attack upon 
the city for full reconnaissances, and, as it was impos- 
sible to cut the communication with the mill, without 
first carrying the fortifications on the heights of Cha- 
pultepec, for which he was not yet quite prepared, to 
drive the enemy from Casa de Mata and El Molino, 
seize the powder, and destroy the foundry. The per- 
formance of this service, to be executed under the for- 
midable guns of Chapultepec, was assigned to the vet- 
eran division of General Worth, then quartered at 
Tacubaya, reinforced by the brigade of General Cad- 
walader, from General Pillow's division ; three squad- 
rons of the 2nd dragoons, one troop of the 1st dragoons, 
part of a troop of the 3rd dragoons, and a company of 
mounted rifles, under Major Sumner ; a small part)'- 
of sappers under Lieutenant Foster, of the engineers ; 
two twenty-four pounders from the siege train, with a 
detachment of ordnance men, under Captain linger, 
acting chief of ordnance ;* and three pieces of field 
artillery, under Captain Drum, with his company of 

' * There were two batteries in Mexico, during the war, served by ord- 
nance men, with several ofBcers. 

17 



386 ORDERS GIVEN TO GENERAL WORTH. 

the 4th artillery. The whole force, in the aggregate, 
numbered 3,447. 

A second reconnaissance was made by Captain Ma- 
son, in company with Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, and 
Lieutenant Hardcastle, of the topographical engineers, 
in the afternoon of the 7th. Generals Scott and 
Worth also carefully reconnoitred the enemy's line of 
defences, and the necessary orders were then given 
for making the attack at daylight on the following 
morning. A night attack had been in contemplation, 
but this was abandoned, on account of the uncertain 
knowledge derived from the reconnaissances, daring as 
they were. The configuration of the ground, and the 
extent of the enemy's force, were ascertained, but a 
very imperfect idea could be formed jf the nature of 
their defences, which were skilfully masrfed. 

In the evening of the 7th, General Worth ordered 
one of Captain Drum's pieces, an eight-pounder, in 
charge of Lieutenant Benjamin, to be sent to the 
picket in front of Chapultepec. The enemy evidently 
anticipated a movement of some kind, and scouting 
parties were frequently sent out during the night. 
The advance guard of the American picket was once 
driven in, and several shots were fired ; but, on seeing 
the port-fire lighted near Lieutenant Benjamin's gun, 
no further attempt at molestation was made, and every 
thing remained quiet till three o'clock in the morning 
of the 8th, when the troops were ordered under arms. 

During the reconnaissances of the previous day, the 
enemy had presented an extended line of cavalry and 
infantry, with their right resting on Casa de Mata, and 
their left on El Molino del Rey. Midway between 
the two was a battery of four pieces of field artillery, 
supported by masses of infantry. In the course of the 



THE enemy's position. 387 

night the guns were removed to a position nearly in 
front of the mill, — thus making El Molino del Rey the 
strong point of the position, and the centre the weak 
one. About four hundred yards west of Casa de Mate, 
there was a deep ravine, impassable except near the 
enemy's line, extending some distance to the south, 
and flanking the broad plain in front. On the south 
side of the plain the ground rose into a ridge, falling 
away gradually as it approached Tacubaya, something 
more than a mile from El Molino, — which consisted 
of a long range of buildings facing the plain. Thirty 
or forty yards in advance of Casa de Mata and El 
Molino del Rey, both of which were slightly elevated 
above the plain, thei'e was a dry ditch, with a breast- 
height for the protection of infantry, reaching, in a 
semicircle, from the mill to the ravine. Casa de Mata 
being upon a retired line, a column approaching over 
the plain would necessarily be subject to a severe con- 
verging, or flank fire, in addition to that in front ; ex- 
cept that, as the road to Tacubaya formed the prolon- 
gation of the enemy's left, an attacking force moving 
forward upon that route would be less exposed, and 
possess the advantage of having an enfilading fire on 
that flank. 

Quietly and orderly the American troops fell into 
their places, before daylight on the 8th of September ; 
and when objects could be first discovered, in the gray 
of the morning, they were seen drawn up in readiness 
for action, within six hundred yards of the Mexican 
line. Captain Drum, with the two six-pounders lost 
at Buena Vista, but recovered at Contreras, was posted 
on the road leading north from Tacubaya, past the 
western front of El Molino del Rey. Colonel Garland 
was ordered to support the battery, and in time assault 



388 AMERICAN LINE OF BATTLE. 

the enemy's left, with his brigade. The 2nd artillery 
moved out under Captain Mackenzie ; and the 3rd 
under Captain M. Burke, — Lieutenant Colonel Belton 
being temporarily absent on detached service, but ar- 
riving in time to lead his regiment near the close of the 
action. Three hundred yards west of the road, on the 
ridge, were the heavy battering guns of Captain Huger, 
supported by the light battalion of General Worth's di- 
vision, under Captain E. Kirby Smith, of the 5th in- 
fantry, — Lieutenant Colonel C. F. Smith being sick. 
A little to the left of Captain Huger'^ battery was an 
assaulting column of five hundred picked men, with 
twelve officers, taken from the different regiments of 
the division, commanded by Major Wright, of the 8th 
infantry, who was ordered to force the enemy's centre 
as soon as an impression had been made by the bat- 
teries. The second brigade, commanded by Colonel 
Mcintosh, in consequence of the illness of Colonel 
Clarke, — Lieutenant Colonel Scott taking charge of 
the 5th infantry — was posted, with Duncan's battery, 
still higher up the ridge, opposite to the enemy's right, 
to make the attack on that flank, or sustain the other 
corps, as might. be necessary. Major Sumner was or- 
dered to envelope the extreme left with the cavalry, and 
be governed by circumstances ; and General Cadwala- 
der was held in reserve with his brigade, between the 
battering guns and the second brigade of the first di- 
vision. 

The enemy were by no means unprepared for the 
attack. Their long lines of infantry, tastefully arrayed 
in blue and white uniforms, filled the breastworks in 
front of the position, the roofs of Casa de Mata and 
El Molino del Rey, and the space between them. The 
artillery was placed at intervals, amongst the infantry, 



ATTACK ON EL MOLINO DEL REY. 389 

just to the left of the centre, and the lancers, under 
General Alvarez, with their gay ensigns and curveting 
steeds, their yellow cloaks and scarlet caps and jackets, 
hovered on the flanks and in rear of the infantry. Gen- 
eral Perez occupied Casa de Mata with 1,500 regular 
troops, and General Leon was posted in El Molino 
del Rey, with several large battalions of the National 
Guard. Santa Anna remained further in the rear, be- 
tween Mexico and Morales, wdth a heavy reserve. 

At early dawn General Worth ordered Captain Hu- 
ger to open his guns on 'El Molino del Rey, which was 
the signal for the action to commence. Having an ob- 
lique fire on the e""niy's battery and right wing, Cap- 
tain Huger servea his pieces with such rapidity and 
effect, that the Mexicans were obliged to abandon their 
guns, and portions of their infantry took shelter in the 
mill, whose walls trembled at eveiy discharge from the 
twenty-four pounders. The assaulting column under 
Major Wright, headed by Captain Mason, Lieutenant 
Foster, and the sappers with their forcing tools, had 
gallantly dashed forward, in the direction of the Mexi- 
can battery, at the opening of the fire. Unshaken by 
the galling torrents of musketry and canister poured 
upon them, they reached the guns, drove back the ar- 
tillerists and infantry who lingered near them, with their 
bayonets, and commenced trailing the pieces on the 
retreating masses of the enemy. Captain Huger's bat- 
tery was now masked ; and discovering the feebleness 
of the force that had daringly advanced under the very 
walls of EI Molino, General Leon ordered the rally to 
be sounded, and bravely led his men to the rescue. 

A most terrific fire of musketry was at once opened 
upon the assaulting party. Major Wright, Captain 
Mason, and Lieutenant Foster, were wounded, and 



390 SEVERE FIRE. 

eight of the remaining eleven officers attached to the 
command, were either killed or wounded. Non-com- 
missioned officers and men were cut down in propor- 
tion. Staggered, but not yet beaten, the remnant under 
Captain Bomford, of the 8th infantry, manfully stood 
their ground. Leaving Lieutenant Elzye, of the 2nd 
artillery, to cover the heavy battery with his company,' 
Captain E. K. Smith instantly advanced, in double- 
quick time, at the head of the light battalion ; and in a 
few moments Lieutenant Colonel Graham, of General 
Cadwalader's brigade, was ordered to follow the move- 
ment with the 11th infantry. 

Meanwhile the first brigade, under Colonel Garland, 
with the two pieces of artillery commanded by Captain 
Drum, had been moving forward on the Tacubaya 
road. A slight bend allowed them to approach within 
two hundred yards of the breastwork in front of El 
Molino, without being seen. Whilst unlimbering his 
guns. Captain Drum encountered a severe fire of grape 
from the enemy's battery, which disabled a number of 
his horses. The animals becoiiilng frantic from their 
wounds, he cut the traces and v/orked his guns by hand, 
assisted by officers and men of different corps. Having 
fired once with round shot, he ran his guns forward to 
within one hundred yards of the breastwork, and opened 
on the enemy with canister. The light battalion, led 
by their intrepid officers, were the first to break through 
the Mexican lines, and gain an archway under the 
buildings of El Molino del Rey. Being joined by the 
first brigade, they sprang to the roofs of the adjoining 
sheds, and commenced a warm and animated contest 
for the possession of the mill. A foothold being gained, 
the Americans would not be driven back. The Mexi- 
can troops fought bravely, but they could not long with- 



ASSAULT OF CASA DE MATA. 391 

Stand the fierce onset of soldiers whose spirits appeared 
to rise with the severity of the action. 

Blackened with smoke and gunpowder, the assailants 
drove the enemy from room to room. Aided by the 
fire of Captain Drum's battery, Captain E. K. Smith 
headed a second charge on the enemy's guns, tempo- 
rarily recaptured, in which he fell mortally wounded, 
and Captain Reeve, of the 8th infantry, took command 
of the light battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Graham also 
advanced upon the same point with the 11th infantry. 
This determined perseverance decided the contest on 
this flank. The guns wese once more taken, and im- 
mediately manned by Lieutenant Peck, of the 2nd ar- 
tillery, and Lieutenants Harley, McClelland, and Scott, 
of the 11th infantry. Captain Drum then fired a few 
rounds on a body of the enemy in the mill, when they 
exhibited a white flag, and surrendered themselves pris- 
oners of war. 

On the American left the conflict had been still more 
bloody and severe. At the commencement of the ac- 
tion. Lieutenant Colonel Duncan opened a vigorous fire 
from his battery, on the Mexican right, which was kept 
up for a short time, when Colonel Mcintosh was or- 
dered to assault Casa de Mata with the second brigade. 
Lieutenant Colonel Duncan continued to play with his 
guns, over the heads of the advancing column, until 
they were completely masked. He then moved his 
pieces to the extreme left, supported by the voltigeurs 
under Colonel Andrews, to check a large force of cav- 
alry and infantry, moving rapidly down the slopes west 
of the ravine, to reinforce the enemy's right. Major 
Sumner also dashed to the front, changed direction in 
an instant, and crossed the ravine within range of Casa 
de Mata, under an appalling fire which, in a very few 



392 TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. 

seconds, killed or wounded between forty and fifty of 
his officers and men, and over one hundred horses 
Successive charges were made by General Alvarez with 
his lancers ; but tliey were always checked by the fire 
of Duncan's battery and the voltigeurs, from the other 
bank of the ravine, and of one of the twenty-four 
pounders, turned in this direction, and actively served 
by Lieutenant Hagner, of the ordnance ; and by the 
prompt and skilful evolutions of Major Sumner, who 
remained on this flank with the cavalry until the close 
of the engagement. 

Instead of an ordinary field intrenchment, as was 
supposed, Casa de Mata proved to be a strong stone 
citadel, recently repaired and enlarged, with bastions 
and impassable ditches. With a step as blithe and free 
as if moving on parade, the column under Colonel 
Mcintosh advanced against the position. Dense masses 
of Mexican infantry crowded the roof and adjacent 
breastworks. Closer and closer the Americans, now 
deployed in line, pressed upon them. Within one hun- 
dred yards they encountered a destructive fire. Prompt- 
ly returning it, they rushed forward with charged bay- 
onets. The enemy fell back from their first line, at the 
breastwork, and rallied on the second. Exposed to a 
murderous discharge of musketry from Casa de Mata, 
and to a raking fire from El Molino, the assailing troops 
continued their advance until they reached the ditch 
and breast-height, within thirty yards of the Mexican 
position. Here the carnage was terrible. Partly shel- 
tered by the stone wall, the Americans calmly loaded 
their guns, and picked off their men. At length, many 
of their pieces became foul, their ammunition was nearly 
expended, and their ranks fearfully thinned. A scathing 



SLAUGHTER OF OFFICERS. 393 

torrent of flame rolled down upon them, through which 
It was impossible to pass with life. 

Colonel Mcintosh fell mortally wounded ; Lieutenant 
Colonel Scott was killed while urging his men to cross 
the ditch;* and Major Waite, commanding the 8th in- 
fantry, was also severely wounded. The 5th infantry 
was nearly deprived of officers, and Assistant Surgeon 
Roberts received a mortal wound while acting, as a 
volunteer, in that capacity. The 6th infantry suffered 
in like manner ; three color bearers of the 8th were 
killed, and the fourth badly wounded. One-third of 
the brigade, including one half the officers, were killed 
or wounded. Confusion became unavoidable; and the 
column retired to the left of Duncan's battery, leaving 
behind them several wounded officers and men, who, 
though helpless and unresisting, were cruelly butchered 
by the enemy. Having assisted in driving away the 
lancers on the left, Lieutenant Colonel Duncan now 
turned his guns on the masses of Mexican infantry 
crowding in and around Casa de Mata, and rained upon 
them a constant shower of cannon balls. 

At the same time, Lieutenant Colonel Graham, after 
the enemy's centre had been forced, directed Major 
Hunter to enter El Molino with a portion of the 11th 
infantry, and advanced against Casa de Mata with the 
remainder of his command. Already twice wounded, 

* The death of no officer was more deeply deplored than that of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Scott. He had advanced to the breast-height, and, desi- 
rous of encouraging his men by his example, refused to slielier himself 
behind it. A brother officer near him entreated that he would not ex- 
pose himself unnecessarily. His reply was characteristi;; : — " Martin 
Scott," said he, " has never yet stooped !" The next moment a ball en- 
tered his heart. He fell upon his back, deliberately placed his cap on 
his breast, and died. Com.iianded by officers like him, it is not to be 
wondered, that the American soldiers should dare any peril. 

17* 



394 GENERAL ROUT OF THE ENEMY. 

he urged forward his men, till he was struck from his 
horse by two additional and mortal wounds ; exclaim- 
ing as he fell — " Forwai'd, my men ! — my word is al- 
ways, forward !" — The enemy did not wait to encoun- 
ter men led by such officers, but abandoned the position 
in haste, followed, at full speed, by the light battery of 
Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, who did not cease playing 
upon them until they were out of reach. 

The brave stand maintained by General Worth and 
his men, their daring and sustained efforts, though en- 
countering obstacles which they had never anticipated, 
decided the fate of the day. The enemy's whole line, 
which had been repeatedly reinforced from the reserve, 
was broken ; but, in a few minutes, they attempted to 
rally on the left, under the guns of Chapultepec, to 
recover possession of El Molino del Rey. The 6th 
and 8th infantry, commanded respectively, by Captain 
Hoffman and Major Montgomery, were ordered, under 
Major Bonneville, to move to that flank, — the 5th in- 
fantry, now commanded by Captain Chapman, remain- 
ing behind, to mourn the loss of the best and bravest 
of their officers and men. Lieutenant Stone, of the 
ordnance, also advanced in the same direction with 
the remaining twenty-four pounder, and placed his gun 
in position near the southern end of the mill, where he 
aided Captain Drum, with one of his pieoes, in driving 
back a large force of the enemy advancing from Cha- 
pultepec, and in silencing a battery of one gun in the 
road leading to the castle, whose fire had seriously an- 
noyed the American infantry in El Molino. The cap- 
tured guns were planted in the road north of the mill, 
and supported by the 4th, 6th, and 8th infantry. A 
brief engagement took place at this point ; but the 
enemy soon abandoned their attempts to regain the 



DEMOLITION OF THE CAPTURED WORKS. 395 

ground which they had lost, and retired towards Cha- 
pultepec, closely pursued by the Americans for several 
hundred yards. 

In the meantime the work of demolition had been 
going on. Casa de Mata was blown up, and the use- 
less captured ammunition was destroyed. Lieutenant 
Colonel Hebert entered El Molino with a battalion of 
the 14th infantry, and, under his orders, four moulds 
for casting cannon, eight platforms for heavy guns, and 
a number of muskets, were broken in pieces ; and the 
combustible parts of the mill, and adjacent buildings, 
were set on fire. The main action had continued a 
little over two hours, but the enemy continued to keep 
up a straggling fire while the works were being de- 
stroyed. 

General Scott had anxiously w'atched the changing 
scenes of the contest, though not interfering with the 
plans of General Worth ; but when the enemy were 
discovered to be repeatedly reinforcing their line, an- 
ticipating a general engagement, he had ordered up 
General Pillow, from a distance of three miles, with 
the brigade of General Pierce, and, shortly after, Col- 
onel Riley's brigade of General Twiggs' division. The 
battle was won, however, just as General Pierce reached 
the ground, and interposed his troops between the di- 
vision of General Worth, and the discomfited enemy. 
Having removed their dead and wounded, the Amer- 
icans retired to their lines, leaving the walls of El Mo- 
lino scarred and blackened, and Casa de Mata in ruins. 

The battle of El Molino del Rey was the hardest- 
fought, and the bloodiest engagement of the war. In 
no action w^as the heroic ardor of the American sol- 
diers more conspicuous ; in none was their despei'ate 
valor submitted to a severer ordeal, or more signally 



39G RESULTS OF THE BATTLE. 

triumphanl. The plain in front of the enemy's po- 
sition was deluged with their blood, poured out freely, 
like water. General Worth lost one-fourth of his di- 
vision, and the other corps sustained a severe loss. 
Less than 3,500 men, including officers, engaged be- 
tween twelve and fourteen thousand, either in action, 
or immediately in reserve, and accomplished their ob- 
ject, with the loss, however, of 784 officers and men.* 
It need not be disguised, that the Americans were 
deceived as to the importance of the enemy's position, 
and the foundry in El Molino ; and as to the strength 
of their defences ; — yet, it is not the least that may be 
said in their commendation, that they were able to sus- 
tain themselves, and finally to triumph, against such 
odds. Three of the enemy's guns were captured, and 
the fourth was spiked. Large quantities of small-arms 
and ammunition, and grain and flour were also taken, 
and 685 prisoners, including 53 commissioned officers. 
Over two thousand Mexicans were killed or wounded, 
and about the same number deserted after the rout. 
General Leon, and Colonels Balderas, Huerta, and 
Gelati, were among the killed. But, what was more 
important than all, the infantry arm of the Mexican 
service, so essential to the protection and support of 

* The Americans lost r25 killed, 649 wounded, many of them mor- 
tally, and there were 10 missing. Among the number killed and wound- 
ed were 58 officers, 17 of whom died on the field, or shortly after the 
battle. The officers who fell in this engagement were, Lieutenants 
Shackelford, Armstrong, and Daniels, of the 2nd artillery ; Captain 
Ayres, and Lieutenant Farry, 3rd artillery ; Colonel Mcintosh, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Scott, Captains Merrill and E. Kirby Smith, Assistant 
Surgeon Roberts, and Lieutenants Burwell and Strong, 5th infantry; 
Lieutenant Ernst, Gth infantry; Lieutenants Burbank and Morris, 8tfi 
infantry ; and Lieutenant Colonel Graham, and Lieutenant Johnson, of 
the 1 1th inftintry. The total number of otficers present in this actiorf 
vfas 196 ; consequently nearly one-third were either killed or wounded. 



MEXICAN INFANTRY DISORGANIZED. 397 

their artillery, was nearly paralyzed by the result of 
this action. The 11th and 12th regular regiments, 
under General Perez, were almost annihilated ; and, 
from that time forward, as we shall see, their infantry 
dared not stand before the destructive fire of the 
American artillery, or meet the charge of the Amer- 
ican bayonet. 



CHAPTER XIV- 

CAPTURE OF MEXICO. 

Preparations for a final attack on the City and its defences — Heavy Bat- 
teries planted — The Cannonade — Storming of Cha[)ultepec — Advance 
of General Quitman to the Garita de Belen and the Ciudadela — 
Operations of General Worth on the San Cosme Causeway — Flight 
of Santa Anna and liis Army — Entrance of General Scott into the 
Capital — The Leperos — Quiet restored in the City — Change in the 
Mexican Administration. 

Night and day the Mexicans labored to complete the 
fortifications of the Capital. The dull heavy sound of 
the mattock and spade, employed in digging ditches 
and throwing up breastworks, was continually heard. 
Men, women, and children, were constantly employed 
in the construction of additional defences. Alarm per- 
vaded every breast, and was depicted on every coun- 
tenance. Anxious groups were collected in the Plaza, 
and at the corners of the streets — each man eager to 
put forth the same inquiry, which rushed unbidden to 
his lips. Even those, who, with folded arms, had hith- 
erto complacently regarded the progress of the war at 
a distance, — now that the banners of the beleaguering 
army could be discovered from their balconies and house- 
tops, shared in the general feeling, that something must 
be done, and that promptly, to avert the impending 
danger. Letters had been addressed by the Secretary 
of State to the Governors of the states of Puebla and 
Mexico, calling for a levy en masse, to attack and ha- 
rass the enemy, by every means which it was practica- 



STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE CITY. 399 

ble to employ, '•' in the annihilating of an invading 
army." Circulars were sent by General Herrera, as 
military commandant of the city of Mexico, on the 7th 
of September, to the clergy, exhorting them to incite 
the people to resistance ; Olaguibel,* the governor of 
the state, also appealed to his fellows-citizens, to rally 
ai'ound the standard of their comitry in this emer- 
gency ; and the alcaldes and magistrates employed the 
strong power of the law, to reinforce the army, and 
compel non-combatants to work in the trenches. The 
conviction and execution of a number of the deserters 
taken on the 20th of August, furnished a powerful ar- 
gument to excite that fiercest and most vindictive of 
all passions — religious prejudice — among the populace ; 
who were told that these men had been persecuted, 
solely because they were Roman Catholics, like them- 
selves. f 

* In the National Intelligencer of the 25th of October, 1847, there is 
a letter, dated on the I5th of the same month, signed " T," and extolling, 
in the highest terms, the patriotism of Olaguibel. The position of the 
writer — understood to be Mr. Waddy Thompson, formerly minister to 
Mexico — and his facilities for obtaining information, give great weight 
to his opinions ; and, if these encomiums have reference to the ardent 
attachment of Olaguibel to a republican form of government, and his 
opposition to centraHsm, and the monarchical tendencies of the admin- 
istrations of Scinta Anna and Paredes, they are both deserved and ap- 
propriate. In time of war, however, with a foreign enemy, there is, or 
should be, a different kind of patriotism than mere party devotion ; and 
there is no evidence, that the leading federalists of Mexico, Olaguibel 
not excepted, rendered a hearty support to Santa Anna in the prosecu- 
tion of hostilities, or that they did not rejoice, when his defeat and over- 
throw removed another opponent from the political arena. While our 
sympathies as American citizens, must naturally go with the Mexican 
federalists, we cannot be blind to the fact, that their errors have aided 
to produce that state of turmoil and confusion which has so long existed 
in the country, and to which, mainly, her difficulties with foreign powers 
may be attributed. 

■(• Twentj'-nine deserters were convicted and sentenced to death, by a 



400 RECONNAISSANCES. 

But there was no heartiness in the ebullitions of pa- 
triotism thus aroused, and thus manifested. The feel- 
ing was short-lived and transient. There was a great 
want of discipline in the disorganized mass, composing 
the Mexican army, of which their officers could not re- 
main ignorant. Supplies were furnished slowly, and 
with a sparing hand. Santa Anna struggled, in vain, 
against his destiny ; and equally futile were the efTorts 
of his countrymen, now forced to experience the bitter 
consequences of their party strifes and dissensions, to 
prevent the triumphant entrance of the American sol- 
diers into their capital. 

The utmost activity prevailed in the camp of Gene- 
ral Scott after the battle of the 8th of September; and 
the busy hum of preparation was heard at every hour 
of the day. Colonel Riley had been stationed at the 
village, or church, of Piedad, nearly two miles south of 
the city, with his brigade, and on the 9th instant, the 
division of General Pillow was also ordered thither. 
Covered by these corps, the engineer officers made their 
reconnaissances. In the afternoon of the 8th, Captain 
Lee, and Lieutenants Beauregard and Tower, proceeded 
along the Piedad causeway, to a barranca, or ravine, 
crossing that road, and the Niilo Perdido and San An- 
tonio causeways, a little over a mile from the city, and 

court-maTtial over which Colonel Riley presided ; and thirty-six by a 
court over which Colonel Garland presided. Several of the number 
having deserted previous to the existence of actual war, or presenting 
circumstances in mitigation of their offence, their sentences were com- 
muted by General Scott. Sixteen were hung at San Angel, on the lOth 
of September; four at Mixcoac, on the 1 1th; and thirty, at the same 
place, on the I3th instant. The execution at Mixcoac, on the l3th,took 
place while the Americans were storming the height of Chapultepec ; 
snd the deserters were required to stand on the gallows, until the colors 
which they had abandoned were displayed from the castle. 



SKIRMISHING. 401 

discovered the enemy in force on the two roads upon 
their right. On the 9th, General Scott, accompanied 
by Captain Lee, made an examination of the enemy's 
defences at the garita of San Antonio, and, on the fol- 
lowing day, a thorough reconnaissance, in that quarter, 
and of the Paseo de las Vigas, connected with the San 
Antonio causeway by a road practicable for artillery, 
was executed by Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and 
Tower. On the morning of the 11th, Captain Lee and 
Lieutenant Tower made another, and final examination, 
of the works commanding the southern approaches to 
the capital; the result of which was reported to the 
General-in-chief, at a council of war, held on the same 
day, at the church of La Piedad. 

No serious collision took place v/ith the enemy's 
forces during the execution of these reconnaissances. 
An occasional shot was thrown from the Mexican bat- 
teries at the garita of San Antonio ; Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Duncan and Major Sumner had a slight skirmish 
with a small body of lancers, near Morales, on the 
morning of the 11th, in which two or three of the ene- 
my were killed ; and, in the afternoon, Captain Magru- 
der fired upon a party of cavalry, about 500 strong, 
who were moving round the American right, in order, 
as was supposed, to discover their position and force. 
A number of shot and shells were thrown from his bat- 
tery, planted in the hermitage at the end of the Niiro 
Perdido causeway, and perfectly screened by rows of 
maguey, which caused the enemy to countermarch in 
haste, and retire under cover of their heavy guns. 

General Scott now resolved to put in execution a 
project which had been some time in contemplation. 
Including the works at the eight garitns, or principal 
entrances, there were forty-seven batteries around the 



402 THE CAUSEWAYS AROUND MEXICO. 

city, prepared for 177 guns, and seventeen infantry 
breastworks; all of the batteries, however, could not 
be manned at the same time, in consequence of the de- 
ficiency in artillery. It was impossible to gain an ad- 
mittance into the capital, with an army, except bypass- 
ing along the elevated causeways, — flanked, as has been 
described, by deep ditches and low marshy grounds 
— and through the fortified gates. South and west 
of the city, — the quarter to which the operations of 
General Scott were confined, — there were five cause- 
ways. The San Antonio causeway led directly from 
San Antonio, through Churubusco, to the flaza mayor. 
About one thousand yards further west, was the cause- 
way of Niiio Perdido, and rather more than that dis- 
tance beyond it, was the Piedad causeway, both run- 
ing parallel to the causeway of San Antonio. The 
Piedad causeway intersected the Tacubaya, or Chapul- 
tepec causeway and aqueduct, at the south-western 
angle of the city ; and the San Cosme causeway and 
aqueduct, with the aqueduct and causeway leading 
from the height of Chapultepec, approached from the 
west, at right angles with the southern causeways, 
and, at its entrance into the capital, w^as nearly one 
mile distant from the Chapultepec causeway. At the 
intersection of the Piedad with the Chapultepec cause- 
way, was the garita of Belen ; and there was a garita 
also, on each of the other causeways mentioned. Be- 
sides these main causeways, there was a smaller one, 
called the Paseo de las Vigas, with a garita, about eight 
hundred yards east of the San Antonio causeway. 

The enemy anticipated that an attempt would be 
made upon the city, from the causeway of San An- 
tonio, and their efforts were principally directed to 
the strengthening of the fortifications in that quarter, 



FORTIFICATIONS. 403 

although the other approaches were not neglected. 
The garita of San Antonio was about a mile in ad- 
vance of that on the causeway of Niiio Perdido, and, 
between the two, there were three batteries, and a 
trench traversing diagonally the grazing grounds. On 
the east, between the garita of San Antonio and the 
Paseo' de las Vigasf, there were two batteries. These 
batteries were well supplied with heavy guns, which, 
being placed in position, could not be counter-battered 
with much hope of success, by the lighter pieces of the 
Americans planted in the open and unprotected ground. 
Near the Mexican lines there was also not far from 
12,000 infantry, stationed there to support the batte- 
ries and repel an assault. From three to four hundred 
yards in advance of the Belen gate, on the Piedad 
causeway, was a battery without guns, with a breast- 
work for infantry^ facing the west, intervening be- 
tween it and the gari.ta. At the gate there was a bat- 
tery of three guns, with another battery of four guns 
eight hundred yards in its front, on the Chapultepec 
causeway. East and north of the garita of Belen, 
was the citadel with its fifteen guns, near the north- 
western angle of which, on a paseo running north 
from the gate, was a battery of two guns. At the 
San Cosme gate there was a battery mounting one 
heavy gun and a howitzer, and there were several 
other batteries, without guns, in advance of it, and on' 
the branch causeway leading from the heights of Cha- 
pultepec. Some six or seven thousand Mexicans, 
cavalry and infantry, besides the permanent garrison 
of Chapultepec, were posted in its vicinity, and on the 
slopes south and east of Morales. 

The route by the San Cosme causeway was the 
most feasible of all ; but, in order to reach it, it would 



404 PROJECT OF GENERAL SCOTT. 

be necessary to make a wide and hazardous circuit, 
unless the fortress on the steep and rocky bluff of 
Chapultepec should be first carried. General Scott, 
however, decided to storm the castle, and to approach 
the city by the Chapultepec and San Cosme cause- 
ways, — designing to make the main attack by the lat- 
ter road. But to accomplish this without too great 
loss, it was requisite that the enemy should be kept in 
ignorance of the movement up to the latest hour, and 
that, when discovered, they should mistake it for a 
feint, and be led to suppose that the Americans in- 
tended to return and assault the formidable batteries 
of San Antonio. 

In pursuance of this plan, the details of which were 
settled at the council held on the 11th instant. General 
Quitman was immediately ordered to join General 
Pillow, by daylight, before the southern gates, with his 
division, previoiisl}" stationed at Coyoacan. After dark, 
on the night of the 11th, both generals, with their di- 
visions, proceeded to Tacubaya, wdiere General Scott 
was quartered with the division of General Worth. 
General Twiggs remained at Piedad, — two miles east 
of Tacubaya, and, within a few hundred yards, as far 
north as the garita of San Antonio, — with the brigade 
of Colonel Riley, and the batteries of Captains Taylor 
and Steptoe, to make false attacks, or tirreaten the 
works on the southern side of the city, and thus de- 
ceive the enemy. General P. F. Smith was left at 
San Angel with his brigade, but received orders to join 
General Quitman early in the morning of the 13th. 
Major Sumner was directed to march to Tacubaya at 
daybreak on the 12th, with six companies of the 2nd 
dragoons, one of the 1st dragoons, and one company 
of mounted rifles. The remainder of the cavalry, 



BATTERIES ESTABLISHED. 405 

with the 12th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Bonham, 
one company of the 3rd and one of the 7th infantry, 
the whole commanded by Colonel Harney, were or- 
dered to garrison Mixcoac, now the general depot of 
the army. 

During the night of the 11th, and in the morning of 
the 12th, four batteries were traced and established 
near the height of Chapultepec, by Captains Huger 
and Lee, with the assistance of other ordnance and 
engineer officers, and working parties detailed for the 
purpose. Number 1, mounting two sixteen-pounders, 
and one 8-inch howitzer,* was placed on the Tacubaya 
causeway, to fire on the south side of the castle ; num- 
ber 2, mounting one twenty-four pounder, and one 
8-inch howitzer, on the ridge south of El Molino del 
Rey, and opposite the south-west angle of the castle ; 
number 3, which received, in the course of the day, 
one sixteen-pounder and one 8-inch howitzer, near the 
mill, some three hundred yards to the north and east 
of number 2, having the wall of the aqueduct as a 
parapet ; and number 4, mounted with a 10-inch mor- 
tar, at El Molino, under cover of the high wall formed 
by the aqueduct, and opposite the west front of the 
castle. Numbers 1 and 2 were well masked by bushes, 
and ready to commence cannonading the castle, at an 
early hour on the 12th. 

An unusual degree of alarm pervaded the city on 
the afternoon of the Uth, when General Quitman was 
discovered advancing along the Piedad causeway with 
his division ; but, as no further movement was per- 
ceived, it soon subsided. All was yet still on the en- 
suing day, when the rising sun first threw his golden 

* These were captured guns ; and the IC-pounders, being French 
pieces, were equal to our 18s. 



406 OPENING OF THE FIRE, 

beams over the bristling peaks of the Cordilleras, — 
which fell tremblingly upon the lakes of the valley, and 
the cool jets of crystal water gushing up from the 
fountains in the Alameda, and suffused palace and con- 
vent — dome, and spire, and cross, — with waves of 
sparkling sheen. It was the last hour of quiet enjoyed 
by the residents of the capital, until the American flag, 
tattered and torn in many a perilous conflict, but float- 
ing proudly as ever, waved in triumph over the Palacio 
of Mexico. 

Having placed his battery of twelve-pounders in an 
advantageous position, near Piedad, Captain Steptoe 
opened a brisk and intense fire, at daylight on the 12th, 
on the enemy's works at the southern gates, which was 
kept up steadily throughout the day, and silenced the 
battery at the garita of San Antonio, whose guns were 
driven within the walls of the city. The Mexicans 
returned his fire, and the alarm-bells commenced ring- 
ing. Peal upon peal resounded through the streets, 
rousing the inhabitants from their slumbers, and calling 
them, in crowds, to the azoteas, or flat roofs, of their 
dwellings. Jalousies were flung open in haste, and the 
flashing eyes of the Castilian gazed anxiously forth, 
through the clouds of morning mist and sulphurous 
smoke, momentarily lighted by the glare of artillery. 
Squadrons of lancers dashed to and fro, and the pa- 
seos were soon thronged with groups of soldiers and 
citizens hurrying hither and thither. Scarcely an hour 
passed, when batteries 1 and 2, opposite Chapultepec, 
supported by the division of General Quitman — the 
former served by Captain Drum, assisted by Lieuten 
ants Benjamin and Porter, with his company of the 4th 
artillery ; and the latter by a detachment of ordnance 



POSITION OF THE TROOPS. 407 

men, under Lieutenant Hagner — joined in the fierce 
cannonade. 

The furious storm of missiles poured from the Amer- 
ican batteries upon the castle of Chapultepec and its 
defences, drove the enemy's light troops and skirmish- 
ers from the grove in the surrounding inclosure, and 
compelled most of the supporting force, stationed in 
and near the fortress, to retire out of range. At the 
same time the fire of the guns in the castle, which had 
vigorously answered the attack, was sensibly slack- 
ened. Availing themselves of the favorable moment, 
the American ordnance and engineer officers prepared 
batteries 3 and 4 for action. Number 3 was manned 
by Captain Brooks, of the 2nd artillery, with his com- 
pany, who was relieved, in the evening, by another 
company of the same regiment, under Lieutenant An- 
derson, assisted by Lieutenant Russell, of the 4th in- 
fantry : — during the fire, the stock of the sixteen poun- 
der was broken, leaving only the 8-inch howitzer in the 
battery ; but the broken piece was subsequently re- 
placed by a twenty-four pounder gun. Number 4 was 
served by a detachment of ordnance men under Lieu- 
tenant Stone. 

Shortly after daybreak, on the 12th, Lieutenant Col- 
onel Hebert had taken possession of El Molino del Rey, 
under a severe shower of shot and shell from the Castle 
of Chapultepec, with a force organized for the purpose, 
and General Cadwalader afterwards occupied it with 
his brigade. General Pillow displayed the remainder 
of his division, including Magruder's battery, and ex- 
cepting the 12th infantry, which constituted part of the 
garrison of Mixcoac, on the battle-field of the 8th in- 
stant, with the cavalry command of Major Sumner on 
his left, boih to support batteries 3 and 4, and to hold in 



408 THE enemy's defences. 

check the Mexican lancers and infantry, under Gene- 
rals Alvarez and Rangel, occupying the slopes north 
and west of Chapultepec. Several feints were made 
by the enemy, but they did not attempt to molest Gen- 
eral Pillow. 

The permanent garrison of Chapultepec probably did 
not much exceed 1,000 men, commanded by General 
Bravo ;* but there was a force at least 6000 strong in 
the adjoining grounds, and within supporting distance, 
on the outside, in rear, and towards the city. The 
eleves of the military school, under their superinten- 
dent. General Monterde, also aided in the defence of 
the post. There were ten pieces of artillery in the 
castle, some of which were of very heavy calibre. 
The heights were dotted all over with bastions, par- 
apets, redoubts, and batteries. There w^as a battery 
of three guns on the Tacubaya road, at the south-east 
angle of the inclosure, flanked by a one-gun battery, 
sweeping the low grounds between it and the cause- 
way, a short distance to the west ; and a few hundred 
yards beyond the latter, there was another battery. 
About four hundred yards east of the mill, on the road 
passing along the north side of Chapultepec, there was 

* General Bravo, in his official report dated September 14th, 1817, 
states that the garrison of Chapultepec numbered only 832, many of 
■whom deserted before the assault; and that, although he repeatedly ap- 
plied to Santa Anna and General Rangel for assistance, none was ren- 
dered. It is extremely difficult, as is the case with most accounts of the 
Mexican officers, to reconcile this statement with fixcts about which there 
can be no question. Nearly five hundred dead bodies were found after the 
assault, in the castle and outworks of Chapultepec ; numbers were seen 
to escape over the northern and eastern walls ; and there were over 
seven hundred taken prisoners, including, with the commander, five 
generals, and more than a hundred subordinate officers. The actual 
garrison may not have exceeded 1,003 men but the supporting force cer- 
tainly could not have remained inactive. 



EFFECT OF THE CANNONADE. 409 

a battery of two guns, and a second one where the 
aqueduct and causeway lead off to the San Cosuie road. 

The castle suffered terribly from the fire of the 
American batteries on the 12th. The guns were 
aimed with such precision that the flag-staff was seve- 
ral times carried away ; the lofty dome surmounting 
the magnificent pile was shivered ; the light woodwork 
of the apartments appropriated to the school was torn 
into splinters; embrasuL-^.s were shattered; thick stone 
walls crumbled away ; sjdded rampe and terrace w^ere 
furrowed by tiie plougMng shot ; and a wide breach 
was effected in the southern wall near El Molino del 
Rey. Howitzer shells fell hissing and sputtering into 
the pools of water in the wet and springy grove at the 
western base of Chapultcpec, and whirling balls came 
thundering and crashing down upon the heads of the 
men in the breastv/orks. Both the garrison and the 
supporting force sustained a severe loss ; discipline 
scarcely remained among the terrified soldiers ; the 
confidence based on superior strength, in numbers and 
position, was nearly gone ; they were already cowed 
and disheartened; and numbers deserted on the night 
of the 12th, anxious but to escape the horrors of the 
assault which they anticipated would soon be made.* 

At dark, the Americans, who had been comparatively 
unharmed, suspended their fire, and General Pillow 
drew 'his whole force down to the mill. The enemy's 
works were now well crippled, and, at another meeting 
of hisofiicers. General Scott made his final arranizements 
for stormina; the castle on the morninjr of the 13th. The 
bombardment was ordered to be continued for two or 
three hours after sunrise, .and the momentary cessation 
of the fire was to be the signal for the assault. General 

* Official Report of General Bravo, September I4th, 18-17. 

18 



410 PREPARATIONa FOR STORMING CHAPULTEPEO. 

Quitman was directed to make the attack with his divis- 
ion on the south and east, where the hill, though steep 
and rocky, was accessible ; and General Pillow was to 
advance, at the same time, with his column, from the 
west. On the north the height was so precipitous that it 
could not be approached from that quarter. Storming 
parties, mostly volunteers for the attack, each contain- 
ing about 250 rank and file, were selected from the di- 
visions of Generals Worth and Twiggs, to lead the as- 
saulting columns. The party furnished from Worth's 
division was commanded by Captain Mackenzie, of the 
2nd artillery, who joined General Pillow ; and that fur- 
nished from Twiggs' division, by Captain Casey, of the 
2nd infantry, who reported to General Quitman. A 
second storming party of 120 men, under Major 
Twiggs, of the marines, was organized by General 
Quitman from his division. Pioneer parties were also 
selected, to accompany the stormers with ladders, fas- 
cines, picks, and crowbars. General Worth was or- 
dered to hold his division in reserve, near El Molino 
del Rey, to support General Pillow, and General Smith 
was directed to support General Quitman with his 
brigade. 

During the night of the 12th, Captain Paul, of the 
7th infantry, in command of an advanced picket of 
fifty men, established on the road to Chapultepec, had 
a brisk skirmish with one of the enemy's outposts, which 
was driven back. Apprehensive that this demonstra- 
tion was intended to cover the passage of reinforce- 
ments into the castle, General Quitman ordered Lieu- 
tenant Andrews, of the 3rd artillery, to advance a 
piece of artillery, and rake the road with several dis- 
charges of canister. This being done, every thing re- 
mained quiet till the early dawn, when General Twiggs 



CONFIDENCE AND COURAGE MANIFESTED. 411 

was agoan heard thundering at the southern gates. 
The batteries near Chapultepec, — Lieutenant Andrews 
reheving Captain Drum, for a short time, with his com- 
pany of the 3rd artillery, — and the guns of the fortress, 
were instantly at work. The cannonade soon swelled 
into a continuous roar, and the solid earth shook with 
the dreadful concussion. The batteries were kept play- 
ing for about two hours, in which time one of the six- 
tcen-pounders, in battery number 1, was disabled; and 
showers of grape, canister, and shells, were then thrown 
into the groves and shrubbery around the castle. At 
eight o'clock, the order to cease firing was given, and 
the attacking columns moved forward, — the guns once 
more opening, immediately after the advance, and keep- 
ing up an incessant fire, over the heads of the assailants, 
till they were masked.* 

The American troops had mostly slept on their arms. 
Though somewhat fatigued, and entertaining, it may 
be, considerable anxiety as to the result of the approach- 
ing struggle, a bright glow was imparted to their cheeks 
by the confidence and courage that continued to ani- 
mate them. There were no laggards, — none to falter ; 
and a beaming light sparkled in the eye of him who 
shook his comrade's hand at parting, and a high-s'ouled 
daring curled his lip, when he went forth to battle, 
bearing with him the premonition of an early death, 
which, though it saddened the heart, had no enervating 
power. All felt the importance of the movement. 
But little over ten thousand in number, they had pre- 
cipitated themselves into a valley swarming with ene- 
mies. Fighting their way through rivulets of blood, — 
through the intrenchments of Contreras, San Antonio, 

* Over 500 round shot, near 300 shells, and 50 rounds of canister, 
were thrown into the castle and outworks during the bombardment. 



412 THE VOLTIGEURS. 

and Churubusco, — victors, too, at Casa do Mata and 
El Molino, — a sadly diminished band of less than 8,000 
effective men, — their communications with the sea- 
coast obstructed or cut off, — they now stood before a 
hostile city, every house, with its flat roofs and para- 
pets, and every convent, church, and public edifice of 
which, could be converted into a fortification, contain- 
ing 200,000 inhabitants, and defended by a frowning 
castle, by powerful batteries, and an army 25,000 strong. 
It was, indeed, a last stroke, — but life, death, every thing, 
depended on the issue ! 

General Pillow had placed one section of Captain 
Magruder's battery, inside the extensive range of build- 
ings of which El Molino formed a part, to clear a sand- 
bag breastwork constructed by the enemy, outside the 
southern wall of the inclosure around Chapultepec, to 
command the breach made by the siege guns. The 
mountain howitzers of the voltigeurs, under Lieutenant 
Reno, w"ere also planted in battery, in rear of the mill, 
to aid in driving the Mexican light troops -from the 
grove, and from a strong intrenchment extending near- 
ly across its front. These batteries were admirably 
served, and effected good execution. When the order 
was given to advance, Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone 
rushed forward, with one battalion of voltigeurs, on the 
south side of the main wall, under a brisk fire from the 
lunette, and sprang through the breach. Deploying at 
a run, they drove the enemy from the parapet before 
the rear companies were in line. Meanwhile Colonel 
Andrews and Major Caldwell had passed through a 
narrow gateway, opening from the rear of the mill, with 
the remaining battalion of the voltigeurs, and advanced 
on the left of Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone's command. 
Darting from tree to tree, covered by the bolls of the 



ADVANCE OF GENERAL PILLOW. 413 

huge cypresses, the regiment made the v*'Ood ring with 
the sharp crack of their rifles, and the howitzer shells 
of Lieutenant Reno filled the air with falling leaves and 
branches, as they scattered the enemy's skirmishers in 
confusion. 

A loud cheer from the voltigeurs soon announced 
that they had cleared the grove of the Mexican sharp- 
shooters. The stormers, under Captain Mackenzie, 
with percussion caps removed, and depending on the 
bayonet alone, were now ordered forward. The 9th 
and 15th infantry, under Colonel Ransom and Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Howard, — Colonel Morgan being still dis- 
abled from his wounds, — followed rapidly, accompanied 
by General Pillow. On emerging into the open space, 
from twenty to thirty yards broad, at the foot of the 
acclivity, the troops became exposed to a terrible fire 
of shot, shell, and musketry, from the batteries and 
breastworks of the castle. General Pillow fell severely 
wounded, though afterwards borne along in the arms 
of his men, as they pressed onward to secure the vic- 
tory. Colonel Ransom was shot dead at the head of 
his regiment, and Major Seymour assumed the com- 
mand. 

General Cadwalader, in the absence of General 
Pierce, who was yet an invalid, promptly led on the 
column. The battalion of voltigeurs under Colonel 
Andrews, and the 9th and 15th infantry, pushed up the 
height, shouting and cheering as they forced the enemy 
from shelter to shelter. Balls and shells fell upon them 
like rain. " There was death below, as well as above 
ground."* The hill-side was mined ; — but, fortunately, 
it was discovered in time. The men appointed to fire 
the mines fell before the unerring aim of the voltigeurs, 

♦ Official Report of General Scott, September 18th, 1847. 



414 A LODGEMENT EFFECTED. 

watering with their blood the trains wliich they had 
vainly endeavored to ignite. In their haste, the attack- 
ing parties outstripped the stormers, who had moved on 
more slowly until the ground should be relinquished by 
their comrades ; and when they gained the crest of the 
counterscarp, they were obliged to wait for the ladders, 
without which the works could not be carried. They 
then partially sheltered themselves in the crevices of 
the rocky acclivity, and poured an incessant fire upon 
the enemy behind their breastworks and parapets. 

At the request of General Pillow, General Worth had 
detached Colonel Clarke with his bris;ade, consisting of 
the 5th, 6th, and 8th infantry, under Captain Chapman, 
and Majors Bonneville and Montgomery, to support 
the attack. Portions of these regiments joined the as- 
saulting column, as Captain Mackenzie came up with 
his command. The delay was of brief duration. The 
ditch was crossed, and the ladders planted. Hand-gre- 
nades and musket-balls v/ere poured upon the assailants, 
and the first who mounted the ladders fell to the earth, 
either killed or severely wounded ; others took their 
places, and gained the parapet. The color-bearer of 
the voltigeurs being shot down. Captain Barnard 
snatched the flag, scaled the wall with it unfurled, and 
planted it in advance of any other color. One of the 
salients of the outer work was in their possession, and 
the columns moved forward upon the castle. 

In the meantime, Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone, 
with his battalion, accompanied by Lieutenant Reno 
with two of the howitzers, had passed round to the 
right, up the paved road leading in a triangular form to 
the main gate on the south side of the castle. Here 
he encountered a warm fire from the parapet of the east 
terrace, and the battery at its base. Lieutenant Reno 



GENERAL QUITMAn's COLUMN. 415 

brought his guns into action, and served them effic- 
iently, until, being wounded at the gateway, he resigned 
his charge to Lieutenant Beauregard, of the engineers. 
A vigorous attack was at once made by the command, 
when the works were reduced. 

The column under General Quitman, guided by 
Lieutenant Tower, had advanced to the assault, along 
the Tacubaya road, with equal promptitude and en- 
thusiasm. General Smith moved in reserve with his 
brigade, prolonging his right beyond that flank of the 
assaulting column, to protect it from skirmishers, and 
from the enemy's forces lining the causeway leading 
from Chapultepec to the city. Lieutenant Hunt, who 
had reported to General Quitman, with a howitzer 
and six-pounder gun belonging to Duncan's battery, 
followed the main column, and having gained a po- 
sition in the road, within easy range of the castle, 
opened liis fire, throwing shell and shrapnel shot that 
exploded directly over the parapets on the lower part 
of the hill, from which the enemy's fire seemed hottest, 
and elevating his pieces as the troops advanced. The 
storming parties under Major Twiggs and Captain 
Casey, supported by the battalion of marines, under 
Lieutenant Colonel Watson, dashed forward, with 
hearty cheers, upon the battery at the south-east an- 
gle of the height. Major Twiggs receiving a mortal 
wound, Captain Miller, of the 2nd Pennsylvania, took 
command of his party ; and Captain Casey being also 
disabled. Captain Paul, of the 7th infantry, assumed 
his place. The contest at the battery was hand-to- 
hand, and for a short time was stoutly maintained. 
Parties of the rifle regiment joined the stormers, and 
entered the works with them. Being unable to with- 



416 THE VOLUiVTEEKS. 

stand the impetuous onset of their antagonists, the en- 
emy abandoned their guns, and retired in haste. 

The remaining regiments of General Quitman's di- 
vision, — the New York and South Carolina volunteers, 
under Lieutenant Colonel Baxter and Major Gladden, 
and the 2nd Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Geary, Colonel Roberts being confined to a sick bed, — 
led by General Shields, who had solicited the com- 
mand of the storming parties, but had been refused on 
account of his rank, after proceeding about half a mile 
along the causeway, turned to the left, and making 
their way through fields intersected by deep ditches, 
filled with water, under a severe fire of grape and 
musketry, approached the southern wall of Chapultepec. 
The Palmettos broke through it, and charged up the 
height, without firing a gun. Lieutenant Colonel Bax- 
ter being mortall}' wounded. Major Burnham placed 
himself at the head of the New Yorkers, and entered 
the inclosure, in company with the 2nd Pentisylvania, 
through an abandoned battery, to the left. Lieutenant 
Reid, with his company of the New York regiment, 
and a company of marines, moving still further to the 
left, passed through the breach made by the heavy 
guns, and was soon among the foremost of the parties 
who had assaulted the work from the west. A portion 
of the storming party from General Twiggs' division, 
under Lieutenant Gantt, of the 7th infantry, also as- 
cended the hill. 

A simultaneous rush was now made upon the east, 
south, and west of the castle. Scaling-ladders were 
applied on all sides. Major Seymour, of the 9th infan- 
try, reached the flag-stafl^, and hauled down the Mex- 
ican standard, — and the national color of the New 
York regiment, the first on the fortress, was displayed, 



CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE 417 

by Lieutenant Reid, — while the battle was raging at 
their feet. For a few moments the conflict was ter- 
rible. General Bravo and his soldiers made a sturdy- 
defence. The eleves of the military school fought 
bravely and gallantly. Swords clashed ; bayonets 
were crossed ; and rifles clubbed. The cruelty of the 
enemy at Casa de Mata was not forgotten ; and the 
ramparts and batteries were covered with those who 
had fallen, some maimed and disabled, but many cold 
and stifl" as the rocks and stones that formed their rest- 
ing place. Carried away with indignation, for a mo- 
ment the American soldiers seemed inclined to make 
no prisoners ; but the earnest remonstrances of their 
officers, checked the exhibition of a feeling, which, 
though not unprovoked, would have sullied the flag 
under which they fought. Resistance, however, was 
in vain ; the work was carried ; — and General Bravo 
surrendered himself and men prisoners of war.* 

While the assaulting parties were engaged in storm- 
ing the height of Chapultepec, Colonel Trousdale had 
moved along the road at the northern base of the 
height, with the 14th infantry, and a section of Ma- 
gruder's battery, under Lieutenant Jackson, — Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Hebert remaining at the mill, tempora- 
rily in charge of the 11th infantry. A destructive fire 
was opened upon the command from the two-gun 
battery, which was actively returned by Lieutenant 
Jackson. The section was dreadfully cut up, and al- 
most disabled ; the infantry support lost several men ; 

♦ General Bravo, and General Rincon — the latter taken prisoner on 
the 20th of August — were exchanged for Captains Heady and Clay, 
and other officers and men captured the previous winter from the column 
voider General Taylor. Majors Gaines and Borland made their escape 
soon after the Americans entered the Valley, and served as volunteer 
aids, respectively, to Generals Scott and Worth. 

18* 



418 PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 

and Colonel Trousdale and some of his officers were 
badly wounded. Leaving Major Hunter with the 11th 
infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Hebert hastened forward 
to take conamand of his regiment. A demonstration 
made by a body of the enemy on this flank, was checked 
by Major Hunter ; but their forces, in large numbers, 
were discovered rallying upon the branch causeway 
and aqueduct leading to the San Cosmo road, and 
threatening the section of the battery commanded by 
Lieutenant Jackson. Captain Magruder pushed on to 
his assistance with the other section ; and, at the same 
time, General Worth turned the mill and advanced 
upon the road, with Colonel Garland's brigade, — con- 
sisting of the 2nd and 3rd artillery, under Captain 
Brooks and Lieutenant Colonel Belton, and the 4th 
infantry. Major Lee, — the light battalion of Lieutenant 
Colonel C. F. Smith, Duncan's battery, and three 
squadrons of dragoons, under Major Sumner. 

A flank movement of a portion of Colonel Garland's 
brigade completed the capture of the breastwork, un- 
der the fire of Lieutenant Jackson's guns, and General 
Worth continued his advance, attacking the right of the 
enemy's line resting on the branch causeway, and driv- 
ing them before him, at the moment of the general re- 
treat consequent upon the capture of the castle. He 
then rapidly pursued the routed enemy, in the direction 
of the San Cosme road. 

As soon as his command could be formed and sup- 
plied with ammunition. General Quitman also advanced 
on the Chapultepec causeway, the more direct route to 
the city. Meanwhile Captain Drum had brought up a 
four-pounder captured gun, and was moving along the 
causeway, pouring a constant fire upon the flying Mex- 
icans. The rifle regiment commanded by Major Lor- 




MA.10R RINGr,OI>n. 



BATTERY ON THE CHAPULTEPEC CAUSEWAY. 419 

ing, formed under the arches of the aqueduct, and 
the remainder of General Smith's brigade — the 1st ar- 
tillery and 3rd infantry, under Major Dimmick and 
Captain Alexander — levelled the parapets and filled up 
the ditches in the road, so as to permit the passage of 
heavy artillery. This being done, the whole column 
was put in motion. 

General Scott arrived at the castle shortly after its 
reduction, and immediately ordered Colonel Clarke, with 
his brigade, to join his division, and also dispatched the 
brigade of General Cadwalader to the support of Gen- 
eral Worth. The 9th infantry was ordered to follow 
the movement of General Quitman, and the 15th was 
designated as the garrison of Chapultepec. Siege 
pieces were likewise directed to be sent forward to both 
columns. Having issued these orders. General Scott 
proceeded along the road taken by General Worth. 
Two heavy pieces, under Lieutenant Hagner, escorted 
by a command of New York volunteers and marines, 
under Captain Gallagher, and two pieces and a 10-inch 
mortar escorted by the 14th infantry, followed, as soon 
as they could be got in readiness. Captain Huger also 
sent heavy guns to General Quitman, and then joined 
the column of General Worth. 

The first obstacle encountered by General Quitman 
was the battery between the "castle of Chapultepec and 
the garita of Belen. A short, but effective fire, from 
an 8-inch howitzer brought up by Lieutenant Porter, 
directed by Captain Drum ; aided by Lieutenant Col- 
onel Duncan's battery, — which had been advanced, by 
direction of General Worth, from the causeway along 
which his column was moving, supported by the light 
battalion, over a cross route, to within four hundred 
yards of the work, — together with the daring and 



420 GARITA OF BEL^N. 

bravery of the rifle regiment, soon cleared the battery. 
The column was forthwith reorganized for an attack 
upon the work at the garita. The rifles, intermingled 
with the South Carolina volunteers, led the advance, 
supported by the remainder of General Quitman's di- 
vision and the brigade of General Smith, and a part of 
the 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, who had 
fallen into this road. 

Springing boldly from arch to arch of the aqueduct, 
the advance moved upon the garita, under a tremen- 
dous fire of grape, canister, and round shot, from the 
battery, and of small-arms from the paseo on their Jeft, 
and the Piedad causeway on their right. The enemy 
had been completely deceived by the movements of 
General Scott, and did not recover from their delusion 
until the American troops were seen streaming along 
the San Cosme and Chapultepec causeways. It was 
then too late to plant new batteries, or shift their guns. 
Still a brave defence was made at the Belen garita, by 
General Terres, who commanded the forces at this 
point, supported by a strong reserve under General 
Garey. Santa Anna also hastened thither ; and for a 
few moments the conflict was warm and animated. 

Several rounds of canister, thrown from a sixteen 
pounder gun, pushed forward to the head of the Amer- 
ican column by Lieutenant Benjamin, checked the an- 
noying fire of the Mexican infantry on the Piedad 
causeway, who were soon after driven back by the 4th 
artillery, under Major Gardner, advancing for the pur- 
pose from their position near the church of La Pie- 
dad. Both gun and howitzer were then opened on the 
garita. The rifles, now under Captain Simonson, Ma- 
jor Loring having been severely wounded, from their 
partial cover beneath the arches of the aqueduct, picked 



THE AMERICANS IN THE CITY. 421 

off the artillerists, one by one ; the enemy's infantry 
refused to be led forward ; and the removal of their 
guns was commenced. Discovering this, General Quit- 
man ordered a charge. The Americans sprang for- 
ward with eager impetuosity, entered the work at a few 
minutes past one o'clock in the afternoon, and captured 
two of its guns. General Quitman was among the first 
at the garita, and none of the colors having yet come 
up, attached a silk handkerchief to a rifle, and waved 
it over the battery, amid the joyous shouts of his brave 
soldiers. 

The garita being taken, the riflemen and South Ca 
rolina volunteers rushed on, and occupied the archea 
of the aqueduct, within one hundred yards of the citadel. 
The ammunition of the heavy guns having been expend- 
ed, Captain Drum turned a captured nine-pounder upon 
the enemy, and served it with good effect, until the am- 
munition taken with it was also expended. Daring as 
was the advance of the American column, they had 
proceeded too far without the necessary siege guns and 
ammunition. Yet they held their ground firmly under 
a most appalling fire. Captain Drum, Lieutenant Ben- 
jamin, and a number of their men, were killed at the 
gun which had been run forward in front of the garita, 
waging an unequal contest with the heavy artillery in 
the citadel. When the enemy perceived that the 
Americans had expended their ammunition, they ral- 
lied to drive them back from the lodgement which had 
been effected. Repeated, though ineffectual sallies, 
were made, and both sides of the aqueduct were swept 
by the iron shower poured from the citadel, the batte- 
ries on the paseo, and the buildings on the right of the 
garita. An attempt to enfilade the left flank of the 
column being apprehended, Captain Naylor took pos- 



422 OPERATIONS OF GENERAL WORTH. 

session of a low sand-bag defence, about one hundred 
yards to the left of the causeway, with two companies 
of the 2nd Pennsylvania ; and held it, under a severe 
fire, till nightfall, when the Mexican batteries ceased 
firing. 

, Sweeping the enemy with the utmost ease, from the 
two batteries enfilading the route, at which they vainly 
endeavored to make a successful stand, General Worth 
arrived at the intersection of the branch causeway with 
the San Cosme road, about two miles distant from 
Chapultepec. Here, on his left, was a formidable work 
at the Campo Santo, or English hurying-ground, but 
entirely destitute of guns. Leaving the brigade of 
General Cadwalader at this point to protect his rear, 
General Worth turned to the right, and moved cau- 
tiously along the road towards the garita of San Cosme, 
where General Rangel was in command. Several 
hundred yards further on, the column came upon a 
strong adobe breastwork, two hundred and fifty yards 
in front of the garita. The approach to the two de- 
fences was in a right line, and the whole space was 
raked by grape, canister, and shells, from the heavy 
gun and howitzer in the battery at the gate ; in addi- 
tion to which, an incessant fire of musketry was poured 
from the tops of the houses and churches, flanking the 
road. Lieutenant Hagner was ordered forward with 
his pieces ; but, it being found impossible to bring them 
into action, on account of the nature of the ground, 
they were withdrawn. 

General Worth then decided to vary his mode of 
operations. Lieutenant Johnson, with a portion of the 
6th infantry, moved to the right, in rear of several 
small buildings, until he reached a large dwelling front- 
ing the street. Having broken into the house, his men 



BURROWING THROUGH THE HOUSES. 423 

tore open the windows, and commenced firing upon 
the Mexicans behind the breastwork. A similar move- 
ment to the left was made by Captain Brooks, of the 
2nd artillery, and Lieutenant Gi'ant of the 4th infantry, 
with small parties. Other troops passing still further 
up, gained a cross street, and came down on the en- 
emy's rear, when the latter fell back to the garita. An 
attempt to regain the work was prevented by the fire 
of a section of Magruder's battery, under Lieutenant 
Jackson. The brigade of Colonel Garland was now 
thrown to the right, and that of Colonel Clarke to the 
left, with orders to burrow their way, from house to 
house, with picks and bars. A mountain howitzer was 
also placed on the top of a commanding building on the 
left, and another on the church of San Cosme on the 
right, under Lieutenant Hagner, of the ordnance, and 
Captain Edwards of the voltigeurs, which soon occa- 
sioned considerable commotion among the enemy. 

The contest for the possession of the garita — to 
which Santa Anna had retired, after his unsuccessful 
attempt to prevent the advance of General Quitman, 
equally deluded, however, if he hoped to achieve a tri- 
umph over the caution, bravery, and skill of General 
Worth — was spirited, but somewhat desultory; de- 
tached parties of the different commands, crossing and 
recrossing the street, as opportunit}' served, to enter 
some narrow lane, or spring through some open gate- 
way. At five o'clock in the afternoon, both columns 
had reached their positions, and it then became neces- 
sary, at all hazards, to advance a piece of artillery to 
the captured breastwork. This was gallantly done by 
Lieutenant Hunt, of Duncan's light battery, who lost 
five, out of nine men, in moving at full speed over a 
distance of one hundred and fifty yards. Reaching the 



424 THE GARITA OF SAN C03ME TAKEN. 

breastwork, and pointing his gun through one of the 
embrasures, he came muzzle to muzzle with the enemy. 
At the same moment, the troops who had burrowed 
through the houses, sprang to the roofs, doors, and win- 
dows. Lieutenant Johnson, with a number of good 
marksmen from the 6th and 8th infantry, had entered 
a small adobe shed facing the road ; and Major Bu- 
chanan had ascended to the top of a house overlooking 
the garita, with a part of the 4th infantry. 

For an instant the street was one blaze of fire. But a 
single withering volley was sufficient, — and a loud pro- 
longed shout was raised by the victors, as the Mexicans 
fled from the garita. Captain Mackenzie, with the rem- 
nant of his storming party, and Lieutenant Colonel 
Belton, with the 2nd and 3i-d artillery, and 4th infantry, 
rushed up the road, and the other troops also darted for- 
ward. The heavy gun in the work, a sixteen-pounder, 
was captured, and turned upon the enemy, by Captain 
Bomford and Lieutenant Merchant, of the 8th infantry, 
" to expedite their departure." Lieutenants Sydney 
Smith and Judah, of the 4th infantry, w'ith Lieutenant 
G. W. Smith, of the engineers, and a small party of sap- 
pers and miners, pursued them nearly half a mile into 
the city, and captured a gun, and a number of pris- 
oners, among whom was an aid of Santa Anna ; and 
one of them had the gratification of eating a supper 
prepared for his Excellency. 

During the operations of General Worth in front, 
an eflTort was made to annoy his left flank by a body 
of the enemy, cavalry and infantry, who were driven 
oflf by Captain Biddle, with his company of voltigeurs, 
B,nd a mountain howitzer. After the capture of the 
garita, General Worth placed his division in secure 
positions on the right and left of the road, and estab- 



FLIGHT OF THE MEXICAN ARMY. 425 

lished picket guards. Captain Huger then advanced 
two siege pieces, and a 10-inch mortar, to the garita, 
and fired a few 24-pound shot ; and, between nine and 
ten o'clock in the evening, he threw several shells from 
the mortar in the direction of the National Palace, 
about sixteen hundred yards distant. 

Early in the afternoon, General Scott had returned 
to Chapultepec. The remaining brigade of General 
Twiggs, (Colonel Riley's), was ordered from Piedad, 
to support General Worth ; and Captain Steptoe was 
directed to rejoin General Quitman's division with his 
battery. Intrenching tools and ammunition were also 
sent to General Quitman, whose men were busily em- 
ployed, throughout the night, in constructing two sand- 
bag breastworks and parapets, at the garita of Belen, 
upon which two heavy guns and an 8-inch howitzer 
were placed in battery by Captain Steptoe. Late in 
the evening General Shields was forced to retire, in 
consequence of a severe wound received at the storm- 
ing of the castle, but his place was filled by General 
Pierce, who reported for duty to General Quitman. 

But all these preparations for the reduction of the 
capital proved to be unnecessar}-. When the blazing 
shells thrown by Captain Huger were seen falling into 
the Plaza, Santa Anna, and his officers and advisers, 
were convinced that it was useless to strun;gle longer. 
They were besought, on every hand, to prevent a bom- 
bardment ; the inhabitants were fleeing in alarm ; and 
insubordination began to make its appearance in the 
army. A hurried consultation was held, at which it 
v/as decided to evacuate the city. Before midnight 
the causeways unoccupied by the American troops, 
were thronged with fugitives ; with wagons, tumbrils, 
gun-carriages and caissons ; with ambulances and splen- 



426 ADVANCE OF THE AMERICANS INTO THE CITY. 

did coaches ; horse and foot, officers and soldiers, camp 
followers and citizens — a motley mass — mingled to- 
gether in confusion. 

At one o'clock in the morning of the 14th, a deputa- 
tion from the ayuntamiento, or city council, came to the 
advanced post of General Worth, announcing that the 
officers of the national government and the army had 
commenced retiring from the city, and that they vv^ere 
authorized to confer with the General-in-chief of the 
American forces. On their arrival at the head-quar- 
ters of General Scott, they informed him of the evacua- 
tion, and demanded terms of capitulation in favor of 
the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. 
They were promptly informed by General Scott that 
he would sign no capitulation ; that the city had been 
virtually in his possession, from the time when a lodge- 
ment had been made on the previous day ; that he re- 
gretted the escape of the Mexican troops; that he 
should levy a moderate contribution for special purpo- 
ses ; and that " the American army should come under 
no terms not self-imposed — such only as its own honor, 
the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the 
age," demanded and required.* 

Upon the termination of the interview with the city 
deputation, General Scott dispatched orders to Generals 
Worth and Quitman, to advance slowly and cautiously 
towards the heart of the city. At six o'clock, the head 
of General Worth's division had reached the street 
leading direct from the Alameda to the plaza mayor, 
on which the National Palace, containing the halls of 
Congress and the executive offices of the national gov- 
ernment, is situated ; and it would have been the first 
to arrive at " that goal of general ambition,"f had it 

* Official Report of General Scott, September 18th, 1847. f ^^^^- 



ENTRY OF GENERAL SCOTT 427 

not been halted by direction of General Scott. At 
dawn of day, General Quitman had taken possession of 
the citadel, upon the invitation of the civil authorities 
which was temporarily garrisoned by the South Caro- 
lina volunteers; and he soon after moved the remainder 
of his, column, the rifle regiment leading the way, in the 
direction of the National Palace. Arriving at the 
great square, he formed his men in front of the Palacio, 
and at seven o'clock in the morning of the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 1847, the American flag, — " the first strange 
banner which had ever waved over that palace since 
the conquest of Cortes,"* — was planted by Captain Rob- 
erts, of the rifles, and saluted by the whole command, 
with every demonstration of applause and satisfaction. 
General Scott and his staff, in full uniform, entered 
the capital at eight o'clock, escorted by Major Sumner 
with his battalion of cavalry. General Quitman was 
immediately appointed civil and military governor of 
the city, and General Scott issued an order, cautioning 
his soldiers to be upon their guard, to commit no dis- 
orders, and to avoid straggling from the head-quarters 
of their respective corps. f Shortly after the troops 

* Official Report of General Quitman, September 29th, 1847. 

t 1 " Heart duarters of the Army, 

"General Orders. P ( Mexico, Sept. 14, 1847. 

No. 284. S 

" 1. Under the favor of GoJ, the valor of this army, after many glo- 
rious victories, has hoisted tlie colors of our country in the Capital of 
Mexico, and on the palace of its government. 

" 2. But the war is not ended. The Mexican army and government 
have fled, only to watch an opportu.aity to return upon us in vengeance. 
We must then be on our guard. 

" 3. Companies and regiments will be kept together, and all stand on 
the alert. Our safety is in military discipline. 

"4. Let there be no drunkenness, no disorders, and no straggling. 
Stragglers will be in great danger of assassination, and marauders shall 
be punished by courts martial. 

"5. All the rules so honorably observed by tliis glorious army, in 



4Si8 ATTACK OF THE LEPER03 

entered the city, and while they were alout occupying 
the most important points, they were attacked by 
crowds of leperos,* and convicts liberated by the author- 
ities of the state and nation prior to the evacuation of 
the capital, together with soldiers in disguise, who had 
not accompanied the army, or had returned after the 
flight. 

Escopetas were fired from half-opened doors and 
windows, and from the corners of the streets and al- 
leys ; and missiles of every description were thrown 
from the flat roofs of the houses. The Americans suf- 
fered considerably at first, from this irregular and an- 
noying fire; Colonel Garland was badly wounded; 
Lieutenant Sydney Smith and several men were killed ; 
and a number of other officers and men received severe 

Puebla, must be observed here. The honor of the army, and the honor 
of our country, call for the best behavior on the part of all. The valiant 
must, to wia the approbation of God and their country, be sober, or- 
derly, and merciful. His noble brethren in arms will not be deaf to this 
hasty appeal from their commander and friend. 

"6. Major General Quitman is appointed civil and military governor 
of Mexico. 

" By command of Major General Scott. 

" H. L. Scott, 
" Acting Assistant Adjutant General." 

* The leperos of Mexico correspond, very nearly, to the lazaroni of 
Italian towns and cities. The number in the city of Mexico, in 1823, 
is estimated, in Ward's Mexico, at 20,000. The object of these ma- 
rauders appeared to be to plunder the wealthy citizens, as much as to 
harass the American troops. During the disturbance, a party of Mex- 
ican lancers penetrated a short diytance into the city from the north, but 
were driven back. They were probably sent by Santa Anna, to learn 
whether any thing could be gained by a return with his forces. A prin- 
cipal reason for his liberating the convicts may have been, the hope that 
the Americans would be thrown into such confusion, that he would be 
able to drive them from the city. If he entertained such an expectation, 
he was very much deceived in regard to the materials of which the 
4merican army was composed. 



ORDER RESTORED. 429 

wounds. The most prompt measures were taken to 
put an end to these dastardly outrages. Lieutenant 
Hagner fired upon the houses, occupied by the enemy, 
with an 8-inch howitzer. The sappers and miners, un- 
der Lieutenants G, W. Smith and McLellan, forced their 
way in with crowbars and axes, and cut down every 
occupant, found with arms, or weapons, in his hands. 
Good service was also rendered in clearing the streets, 
and restoring order, by a detachment of cavalry under 
Major Sumner ; by the 2nd and 7th infantry, under 
Captain Morris and Lieutenant Colonel Plympton ; a 
battalion of the 4th infantry, under Major Buchanan ; 
and part of the rifle regiment, under Captain Roberts. 

This street-contest continued for more than twenty- 
four hours ; but the city became tolerably quiet on the 
16th ; and on the 18th, the four divisions of the army 
were posted at or near the four principal gates, viz : 
San Lazaro, San Antonio, San Cosme, and Peravillo, 
or Guadalupe ; — and the cavalry brigade, under Colonel 
Harney, was ordered to occupy the cavalry barracks 
near the National Palace. 

Thus terminated, in the capture of the Mexican cap- 
ital, a campaign unsurpassed, for the brilliancy of its 
victories, and the magnitude of its results, in the world's 
history. About 1,000 of the enemy were supposed to 
have been killed at the storming of Chapultepec, and 
the subsequent operations in and near the city ; over 
1,500 were wounded ; and there were 823 taken pris- 
oners.* A number of colors and standards were cap- 
tured by the Americans, together with small-arms and 
ammunition, in sufficient quantities to supply an army 

* Among the prisoners were Generals Bravo, Monterde, Noriega, 
Dosamantz and Saldana. General Perez was killed at the storming of 
Chapultepec. 



430 VIGILANCE OF GENERAL SCOTT. 

during a campaign, and nearly 100 pieces of artillery. 
The American loss was 130 killed, 704 wounded, and 
29 missing.* 

All was not yet entirely tranquil in the city. Sleep- 
less and untiring vigilance was necessary on the part 
of General Scott and his officers, and they did not fail 
in the performance of their duty. Stragglers were 
frequently found assassinated, and dark and terrible 
threats were uttered. The clergy refused to open their 
churches for public worship, with a view of preventing 
the restoration of good order; but when they were 
told by the American commander that his protection 
should be withdrawn from them, and the valuable pro- 
perty committed to their care, unless they continued 
to discharge their functions as formerly, they were 
quite willing to resume them. As a consideration for 
the protection afforded by his army to the property of 
the church and the citizens. General Scott levied a 
contribution of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
upon the capital, which was paid in four equal weekly 
installments.! Martial law was also proclaimed in and 
about all towns and posts occupied by the American 

* The Americans lost thirteen officers, either killed or mortally wound- 
ed, in the operations of the I3th and 14th of September, viz: — Captain 
Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin, of the 4th artillery ; Lieutenants Syd- 
ney, Smith and Rodgers, 4th infantry; Lieutenant J. P. Smith, 5th in- 
fantry ; Lieutenant Gantt, 7th infantiy; Colonel Ransom, 9th infantry; 
Major Twiggs, marine corps; Lieutenant Colonel Baxter, and Captains 
Van O' Linda and Pearson, New York Volunteers ; and Lieutenants Can- 
tey and Morange, of the South Carolina Regiment. 

t Twenty thonsand dollars of this sum was appropriated to the pur- 
chase of extra comforts for the wounded and sick of the American sol- 
diers in hospital, and ninety thousand dollars to the purchase of blankets 
and shoes for gratuitous distribution among the rank and file of the army; 
and the remaining forty thousand dollars was reserved for other necessary 
mihtary purposes. — General Orders, Number 287. 



RENUNCIATION OF SANTA ANNA. 431 

army. The collection of duties at the gates was or- 
dered to be continued ; — the proceeds of which were 
applied, as far as necessary, to the payment of the city 
expenses, and the remainder as was directed by the 
General-in-chief. Not long after the occupation of the 
capital, an extensive conspiracy to surprise the Amer- 
icans and murder the officers and men, fomented by a 
number of priests and disguised Mexican officers and 
soldiers, was frustrated. Timely precautions were 
adopted ; and all Mexican officers in the city, who had 
not given their paroles, were required to report to 
Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector Gen- 
eral. 

The Mexican army enrolled for the defence of their 
capital, was almost disorganized. Divided into small 
commands^ the largest of which, numbering about 
4,000 men, proceeded to Queretaro, under General 
Herrera, it was soon scattered through the country, 
under various leaders, uncertain what to do, pursuing 
no definite plan or object, and for the most part, care- 
less and indifferent as to the further prosecution of the 
war. On the 7th of September, Santa Anna had issued 
a decree, ordering that Peria y Peila, President of the 
Supreme Court of Justice, and Generals Herrera and 
Bravo, should assume his duties as Provisional President, 
in case he should fall, or be taken prisoner. After the 
capture of General Bravo, and the evacuation of the 
city, he issued a second decree, at Guadalupe Hidalgo, 
on the 16th of September, renouncing the presidency, 
and designating Senor Alcorta in the place of General 
Bravo ; the substance of which decree was commu- 
nicated to the Governors, and Commandants-general, 
of the different states, by Senores Pacheco and Alcorta, 
Ministers of Internal and Foreign Relations, and of 



432 ASSEMBLING OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS. 

War. Accompanied by about 2,500 cavalry, Santa 
Anna then proceeded to Puebla, to harass the com- 
munications of General Scott, and to do every thing, 
in his power, essential to " the defence of the independ- 
ence of his country."* 

Under the provisions of the Mexican Constitution, 
the office of Provisional President devolved on Pena y 
Peiia, by virtue of his position as the presiding officer 
of the Supreme Court, and he immediately entered on 
the discharge of his duties ; refusing, however, to rec- 
ognize the persons associated with him in the decrees 
of Santa Anna. This was most probably done with 
their consent, as they made no attempt to assert their 
claims, if any they may have had. The acting Pro- 
visional President, and most of the leading men of 
Mexico and the adjoining states, repaired to Queretaro, 
where the National Congress was ordered to assemble, 
early in October, to take into consideration the de- 
plorable state of the country. Several of the members 
passed through the city of Mexico, under a safe con- 
duct from General Scott. 

* Official Circular of Pacheco, dated at Toluca, September 18th, 1847. 
Santa Anna afterwards insisted that his renunciation of the chief ma- 
gistracy was only of temporary duration, and that he had a right to re- 
sume the functions of the office at pleasure. — See his Address to the 
Mexican people, issued at Tehuacan, October 23nd, 1847. 




'-y^ -„•»•?,% f,V.>.*-'^'^ 



7 7^^/^?^9i^m/ 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE ARMY UNDER TAYLOR. 

The American forces on the line of the Sierra Madre, and in the Val- 
ley of the Rio Giande — Correspondence between General Taylor 
and General Mora y Villamil — The Texan Rangers — Expedition to 
Huejutla — Part of General Taylor's forces ordered to Vera Cruz — 
Position of the Troops — The command transferred to General Wool. 

The severe defeat experienced by the Mexicans, at 
Buena Vista, threw them far back into the interior ; 
and no further attempt was made seriously to molest 
the Amei'ican forces on the line of the Sierra Madre, 
and in the valley of the Rio Grande. Reposing quietly 
and contentedly on the laurels he had won, — his name 
potential as that of the Black Douglass in overawing 
the enemy, — General Taylor remained in his camp 
near Monterey, not seeking an opportunity to achieve 
new victories, but prepared, at all times, to maintain 
and enforce the authority of his government over the 
territory occupied by the troops under his command. 
Generals Urrea and Canales hovered in the vicinity 
with their bands of rancheros, but they were careful 
not to approach within reach of an arm, which, as they 
well knew, was not more prompt, than it was powerful, 
to strike. 

In accordance with the directions of General Taylor, 
most of the ranchos between Mier and Monterey, which 
had been the harboring-places of the marauding bands 
who had obstructed his line of communications, were laid 

19 



434 CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL VILLAMIL, 

waste. This harsh, but necessary measure, in connec- 
tion with his order requiring an indemnity for property 
destroyed, secured his trains, in a great degree, from 
attack ; although occasional efforts were made, by 
small parties of the enemy, to capture some of the 
wagons, where a train was large, or feebly guarded. 
The principal object of the banditti appeared to be, to 
seize the merchants' goods going up under the protec- 
tion of the army escorts, and General Taylor felt com- 
pelled, for the safety of his own supplies, to prohibit 
their accompanying the trains. Fewer inducements, 
therefore, were held out to the guerilleros ; and conse- 
quently there were fewer attacks, and fewer losses 
sustained. 

After the return of Santa Anna to the city of Mex- 
ico, General Mora y Villamil held the command, for a 
short time, at San Luis Potosi ; and when the requi- 
sition for an indemnification was issued, he addressed 
a communication to General Taylor, desiring to know, 
whether his wishes and instructions were, " to prose- 
cute the war in conformity to the laws of nations, and 
as war [was] conducted by civilized countries, or as 
barbarous tribes [carried] it on among themselves ?" 
Besides referring to the requisition, he also alluded to 
several acts of violence committed by some of the Texan 
rangers, a new regiment of which, under Colonel Hays, 
had recently been enrolled ; and threatened to retaliate, 
in case satisfaction was not rendered for the grievances 
specified. General Taylor replied on the 19th of May, 
1847, refusing, peremptorily, to give a categorical an- 
swer to the inquiry, upon the ground that it was a 
deliberate insult to himself and his government, yet, 
nevertheless, assuring the Mexican general, that every 
possible effort had been made to discover the perpe- 



THE TEXAN RANGER3. 435 

trators of the acts complained of, in order to bring 
them to trial and punishment, but without success. In 
regard to the threat of retaliation, he treated it, as it 
deserved, and stated that he was ready for any course 
of policy which the Mexican authorities decided to 
adopt.* 

During the ensuing summer. General Taylor found 
himself unable 4,0 control the lawlessness of the ran- 
gers ; and so many unprovoked outrages were com- 
mitted, the authors of which could very rarely be ascer- 
tained, that, as an act of justice to himself and to his 
country, he ordered a number of the more turbulent 
and refractory among them to be summarily dismissed 
from the service, regarding them as being wholly un- 
worthy to belong to the American army.f Collisions, 
growing out of these outrages, frequently took place ; 
but the departments of Tamauiipas and New Leon, 
with this exception, were generally quiet. The active 
operations of the war were carried on upon a different 

* " It is with pain that I find myself under the necessity of addressing 
you in a manner to which I am Httle accustomed ; but I have been 
provoked to do so by the object and the manner of your communica- 
tion, which is objectionable, in my estimation, as well in its insinua- 
tions as in its tone. With respect to tlie implied threat of retaliation, I 
beg you to understand that I hold it at its true worth, and that I am at 
all times prepared to act accordingly, whatever may be the policy or 
mode of carrying on the war, which the Mexican government, or its 
generals, may think it proper to adopt." — Extract from the letter of 
General Taylor. 

f Assassinations and outrages, of the most barbarous and revolting 
Character, that could not have been provoked by the bad conduct of the 
rangers, were committed by the regular and irregular Mexican troops. 
The cruelties practised by the Mexicans during the revolution in Texas, 
and the war with the United States, no doubt instigated the volunteers 
to some extent ; but, however justly the former may have been pun- 
ished, the cruelty of the rangers was none the less deserving of cen- 
Burs. 



436 EXPEDITION TO IIUEJUTLA. 

theatre, and General Taylor remained strictly on the 
defensive.* 

Early in July, Colonel Gates, of the 3rd artillery, the 
commanding officer at Tampico, received information 
that a number of American prisoners, entitled to lib- 
eration, were at or near Huejutia, over one hundred 
miles in the interior of Tamaulipas, vi'here General 
Garey had established his head-quarters, with a force 
from twelve to fifteen hundred strong. Being anxious 
to liberate them as soon as possible, Colonel Gates or- 
dered Colonel De Russey, of the Louisiana volunteers, 

* In his letter to General Gaines, before alluded to, dated November 
8th, 1846, General Taylor avowed himself in favor of withdrawing the 
American troops to a defensive line, extending from some point on the 
Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, and at the same time enforcing a rigid 
blockade of the Mexican ports, as the surest mode of conquering a 
peace. The same idea was advocated by Mr. Calhoun, of South Car- 
olina, in the Senate of the United States, during the session of 1847-48; 
propositions for a large increase of the army being then before Congress. 
The Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, formerly Minister to Mexico, and Secretary 
of War, also approved of that policy, in a letter addressed to Mr. Butler, 
a senator in Congress from South Carolina, dated on the 12th of De- 
cember, 1847, and published in the National Intelligencer on the 22nd 
of January following. Mr. Poinsett instances, in support of his argu- 
ment, the failure of the Russian government permanently to enforce her 
authority over the Caucasians. But the two cases are hardly analogous. 
The Caucasians are wild, fierce, and intractable, while the Mexicans 
are indolent, cowardly, and treacherous, — tyrannical as masters, but 
slavish as subjects ; the former have few or no towns, and when driven 
from them, they regarded the deprivation as of little consequence, while 
the latter looked upon their capital, and their principal cities, as their 
main dependence and reliance ; and, more than all, Russia desired to 
make a permanent conquest, which, of itself, was well calculated to 
arouse an untiring and und3'ing spirit of hostility. 

Had Mexico been inhabited by any other race, except a people de- 
scended from a Spanish stock, perhaps the defensive policy would have 
been the most desirable. Such a policy, however, would have been of 
little or no avail against the Mexican guerilleros. It was the offensive 
measures adopted by the American commanders, and those alone, which 



MARCH OF THE COMMAND. 43? 

to proceed to Huejutla, accompanied by an escort of 
12G men, in order to communicate with General Garey, 
and effect the restoration of the prisoners. 

Colonel De Russey left Tampico on the 8th of July 
with his command, consisting of one company of the 
3rd artillery, Captain Wyse, with a field-piece ; a com- 
pany of dragoons, under Captain Boyd and Lieutenant 
Taneyhill ; a detachment of Louisiana volunteers, un- 
der Captains Mace and Seguine ; and a small party of 
Tampico rangers, a volunteer company organized by 
Colonel Gates for the defence of the post. Passing up 
the river Panuco, in steamers, about sixty miles, and 
then marching by land through Asulwama, the alcalde 
of which was made acquainted with the friendly pur- 
pose of the expedition, and cheerfully furnished the 
command with supplies, Colonel De Russey arrived at 
Tantayuka, twenty-five miles from Huejutla, on the 
11th instant. The alcalde of this town was also in- 
formed of the object of his mission ; and on the morn- 
ing of the 12th he continued his march. So far he had 
been unable to find a military officer who might ac- 
company him to the head-quarters of General Garey 
and, although he anticipated that preparations for de 

they feared and dreaded. In a speech delivered in the Senate, on the 
4th of January, 1848, Mr. Calhoun made use of the following bold and 
striking figure : — " Mexico is to us as a dead body, and this is the only 
way [the defensive policy] that we can cut the cord which binds us to 
the corpse." Had the distinguished senator but enlarged a little upon 
his idea, and inquired how Mexico became reduced to that situation, 
would he not have refuted his own argument '^ She was, indeed, pros- 
trate and lifeless, — but why ] Because she was in the grasp of a giant ! 
— The defensive policy would have released her from that grasp, and re- 
stored her towns and cities, her base of supplies, and all her most val- 
uable internal resources, — thus inviting a bloody and vindictive warfare, 
to continue as long as a single man could be found to echo " the wild 
guerilla's curse" among the gorges of the Sierra Madre. 



438 AFFAIR AT THE CALABOSO RIVER. 

fence would be made, he intended to rely on the white 
flag when the enemy should be discovered, in order to 
prevent a conflict, at least until the pacific nature of 
his visit should be made known. 

About eight miles from Tantayuka, a Mexican In- 
dian was met, who informed Colonel De Russey that 
General Garey, with a large force, had laid an ambus- 
cade for him, at the Calaboso river, one mile in his 
front. Captain Boyd was then in advance with his 
company, and before orders could be sent to him to 
fall back to the main body, a rapid discharge of fire- 
arms was heard. Colonel De Russey hurried forward 
with the remainder of his detachment, and encountered 
the dragoons in retreat, having already lost Captain 
Boyd and six of their comrades. On approaching the 
river, it was found that the enemy, who had displayed 
considerable sagacity in their choice of position, had 
cleared the ground from bushes, for the space of one 
hundred and fifty yards on either side of the road, 
leaving, beyond the now open ground, a dense hedge 
of chaparral, in rear of which a fence had been con- 
structed as an obstacle to the movements of cavalry. 
The main body of General Garey 's force were upon 
the opposite bank of the stream, also protected in their 
front by thick chaparral. 

A charge was instantly made on either flank by 
Captains Mace and Seguine, with their men, and the 
enemy retired hastily across the river. Captain Wyse 
at once opened his fire upon the main body on the op- 
posite bank, which was kept up for nearly an hour, 
when the enemy manifested a disposition to abandon 
their ground, and their fire altogether ceased. It was 
now ascertained that all the cartridges but three had 
been exhausted, and great numbers of the enemy from 



A RETREAT ORDERED, 439 

the towns through which the Americans had passed, 
were discovered on the flanks and in the rear, who 
had succeeded in capturing about ninety mules, laden 
with the provisions, the money, and clothing of the de- 
tachment. It was also known that the road to Hue- 
jutla lay through a gorge flanked by steep acclivities, 
and that the prisoners had been removed. In this 
position of affairs. Colonel De Russey determined to 
retrace his steps with his small command. 

After the retrograde movement commenced, the 
Mexicans began to harass the American rear, but they 
were always repulsed, with great loss, by Captain 
Mace, who poured upon them his volleys of musketry 
with good effect. On ascending a hill about one mile 
from Tantayuka, a desperate rush was made by the 
enemy, and the rear-guard was driven in. Captain 
Wyse promptly unlimbered his gun, and dispersed the 
Mexicans with two discharges of canister. In this 
manner the detachment returned to Tantayuka, keep- 
ing up a continued fight throughout the whole distance 
of nine miles. When they reached the town, the en- 
emy appeared in their front to oppose them. The 
field-piece was again discharged, and again scattered 
the enemy in confusion. 

Colonel De Russey now posted his men on a mound 
overlooking the town ; powder and ball were procured 
at the stores ; and a number of cartridges were pre- 
pared, by using champagne bottles, as a substitute for 
tin cylinders, which were half filled with balls, and 
the remaining space packed with earth. Musket car- 
tridges for the infantry were also manufactured, and 
every preparation was made to defend the position. 
At nine o'clock on the night of the 12th, a message 
was received from General Garey demanding the im- 



440 RETURN TO TAMPICO. 

mediate surrender of the force. Colonel De Russey 
replied that this was impossible, and then informed the 
bearer of the message of the object of his visit. The 
latter stated, in answer, that there had been some mis- 
understanding in regard to the matter, and arranged 
an interview between General Garey and Colonel De 
Russey, to take place in a few hours. The Mexican 
officers failed to keep the appointment, and suspecting 
treachery, Colonel De Russey ordered his men under 
arms, and at two o'clock in the morning of the 13th 
continued his retreat towards Tampico, protected by 
the darkness. Shortly after daylight the enemy again 
appeared upon the flanks and rear of the detachment. 
Whenever they attempted to make a close attack they 
were driven off by the fire of the field-piece or mus- 
kets, though the pursuit was continued for more than 
fifty miles beyond Tantayuka. The detachment suc- 
ceeded, however, in reaching Tampico, having lost, in 
the affair at the Calaboso river, and the subsequent re- 
treat, fifteen killed and mortally wounded, ten wounded, 
and three missing.* The enemy lost nearly two hun- 
dred in killed and wounded. 

During the absence of Colonel De Russey, Colonel 
Gates was informed of his critical situation, and it was 
also rumored that an attack upon Tampico was con- 
templated ; whereupon, he immediately dispatched a 
messenger to Colonel Wilson, at Vera Cruz, with a 
request that he might be reinforced. There being no 
disposable troops belonging to the army, at that post, 
Commodore Perry sent a small party of marines to 

* Among the killed, or mortally wounded, were Captain Boyd and 
Lieutenant Taneyhill. Having no surgeon or means of transportation, 
Colonel De Russey was compelled to leave Lieutenant Taneyhill and 
two privates, all mortally wounded, at the house of the alcalde in Tan- 
tayuka, "where every attention was paid to their wants. 



THE ENEMY INTIMIDATED. 441 

Tampico. In the meantime Colonel Gates had ordered 
a reinforcement of one hundred and fifty men to move 
up the Panuco to-the support of Colonel De Russey, 
who did not effect a junction with the latter until after 
the enemy had ceased to molest his command. The 
alarm at Tampico did not entirely subside for a number 
of weeks. The ordinary supplies of the market were 
nearly cut off, and General Garey was reported to be 
moving upon the town with 3,000 troops. On the 29th 
of July the schooner Petrel, Lieutenant Moore in com- 
mand, proceeded up the Panuco, in tow of the steamer 
Undine, with a detachment of marines on board, and a 
field-piece in addition to her armament ; but she re- 
turned without accomplishing any thing, except that 
the enemy were intimidated from making any attack 
upon Tampico, if it had been in contemplation.* 

Exaggerated rumors of the approach of large bodies 
of troops constantly reached the American camp at 
Buena Vista, where General Wool remained in com- 
mand, during the summer of 1847. General Urrea 
was know^n to be at Tula with about 1,500 troops, and 
after General Valencia was ordered to Mexico, with 
his division, General Filisola was left at San Luis Po- 
tosi with 3,000 men. Canales also roamed about the 
country with several hundred men, always taking care, 
however, to keep out of the way of harm. Most of 
the rumors in circulation had reference to the move- 
ments of one or more of these commanders, and par- 

* Towards the latter part of November, the Indian population near 
Huejutla rose against the troops stationed there, and commenced mur- 
dering the white inhabitants. The latter were now very willing to im- 
plore aid from the American commander at Tampico. Notwithstand- 
in<r their former treacherous behavior, Colonel Gates humanely sent 
Captain "West, with two companies of the Louisiana volunteers, to their 
assistance. 

19* 



442 PART OF GENERAL TAYLOR's FORCE WITHDRAWN. 

ties were frequently dispatched in different directions, 
to obtain information. In July, a detachment was 
sent to Parras to capture Senor Ag«irre, Governor of 
the State of Coahuila, but they came back without His 
Excellency, though bringing with them a quantity of 
captured provisions. 

In the expectation of being ordered to advance into 
the interior, General Taylor directed a camp of instruc- 
tion to be formed at Mier, early in the summer, in or- 
der to have his troops ready for active duty in the 
field. The camp was organized by General Hopping, 
who was placed in command of the upper district on the 
Rio Grande — Colonel Davenport, of the 1st infantry, 
being assigned to the lower district. Colonel Belknap, 
of, the 8th infantry, was ordered to take the immediate 
charge of the camp, but before it had fairly gone into 
operation, General Taylor received orders to detach a 
large portion of his troops to reinforce the column un- 
der General Scott. The brilliant results which had 
attended the operations of the General-in-Chief on the 
line of the National Road, and the necessity of opening 
his communications with the sea-coast, rendered it as 
necessary as it was advisable, to strengthen his column 
without delay. Several new volunteer regiments had 
previously joined General Taylor, together with three 
regiments of infantry raised under the ten regiment 
bill, and a part of the 3rd dragoons. 

Instructions were received by General Taylor, in 
August, to send all his disposable troops to Vera Cruz; 
and, in accordance therewith, General Gushing, with 
his brigade, consisting of the 13th infantry, Colonel 
Echols, and the Massachusetts volunteers, Colonel 
Wright ; and General Lane, with the 4th Ohio, Colo- 



POSITION OF THE TROOPS. 443 

nel Brough, and 4th Indiana, Colonel Gorman, forming 
the brigade under his command ; together with five 
companies of Texan rangers, under Colonel Hays, were 
ordered to embark forthwith from the Rio Grande. 
General Marshall was also directed to join General 
Scott, with two regiments of Kentucky volunteers, re- 
cently enrolled, and on their way to Vera Cruz. 
■ After the departure of these troops, General Taylor 
had about 6,000 men under his command, including 
ten companies of regular dragoons, belonging to dif- 
ferent regiments ; and nine companies of regular artil- 
lery, also belonging to different regiments, and serving 
with batteries, or garrisoning the forts on the Rio 
Grande. Besides the regular cavalry, there were five 
companies of Texas horse, and four companies of mount- 
ed volunteers from different states. The 10th infantry, 
Colonel Temple, was ordered to garrison Matamoras 
and Camargo. Colonel Butler, with the companies of 
the 3rd dragoons, was also stationed on the Rio Grande. 
Colonel Tibbatts garrisoned Monterey with six compa- 
nies of the 16th infantry, and the remaining four com- 
panies of his regiment occupied Seralvo. Lieutenant 
Colonel Fauntleroy, with his squadron of the 2nd dra- 
goons, and the battery of Lieutenant Colonel Bragg, 
were stationed at General Taylor's camp at Walnut 
Springs. At Buena Vista and Saltillo, were the Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina regiments, under Colonels 
Hamtranck and Paine, and the 2nd Mississippi rifles. 
Colonel R. Davis, with the heavy battery of Captain 
Prentiss, the light battery of Captain Deas, and several 
companies of regular and volunteer cavahy, all under 
the orders of General Wool. 

A forward movement from the line of the Sierra 



444 THE COMMAND TRANSFERRED TO GENERAL WOOL. 

Madre being now abandoned, for the present, General 
Taylor, at his own request, was permitted to return 
home in November, — leaving General Wool in com- 
mand, who transferred his head-quarters to Monterey. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE GULF SaUADRON. 



Expedition against Tuspan— Capture of the Town— The Carmclita— 
Recapture of Tabasco — Repeated Skirmishes with the Enemy — Af- 
fair at Timulte — Abandonment of the City — Difficulties in Yucatan. 

After his return from Alvarado, Commodore Perry 
did not allow the vessels belonging to the Gulf Squad- 
ron to remain for a long time rolling lazily at anchor in 
the roadstead of Vera Cruz, — swinging slowly with the 
ebb and flow of the tide, or tossing uneasily when the 
breath of the fitful norther swept over the foaming 
.«vraters. Immediate preparations were made for an 
expedition against Tuspan, and as soon as every thing 
could be got in readiness, he left Vera Cruz with the 
steamers Mississippi, Spitfire, Vixen, and Scourge ; the 
frigate Raritan ; sloops of war John Adams, Albany, 
Germantown, and Decatur; bomb-vessels Vesuvius, 
^tna, and Hecla ; and the schooners, or gunboats, 
Bonita, Petrel, and Reefer. Nearly 500 men belong- 
ing to the Ohio and Potomac, both of which remained 
off Vera Cruz, were distributed among the different 
vessels. 

The steamers were obliged to wait, for some days, 
at the island of Lobos, for the arrival of the sailing ves- 
sels ; and a brief delay afterwards took place, in conse- 
quence of the dispersion of the squadron by a norther. 
But all was ready for the landing, on the morning of 



446 EXPEDITION AGAINST TUSPAN. 

the 18th of April, — the day on which the heights of 
Cerro Gordo were carried by the troops under General 
Scott. The Mississippi anchored oflf the bar of Tuspan 
river ; the small steamers — their masts being taken out, 
and otherwise lightened — took the gunboats and barges 
in tow, carrying in all 1.200 men, armed with cutlasses, 
pistols, and muskets, and two pieces of field artillery ; 
and the other vessels of the squadron remained at an- 
chor under Tuspan shoals, from six to eight miles east- 
ward of the bar. 

The Spitfire, under Captain Tatnall, led the way 
over the bar, followed by the Vixen and Scourge, each 
having a gunboat in tow. Two of the steamers struck ; 
but they -soon ploughed their way over the sand, and 
dashed through the breakers. At noon the whole flo- 
tilla had entered the river. Commodore Perry then 
hoisted his broad pennant on board the Spitfire, and 
commenced the ascent of the stream. About five 
miles from the mouth of the river, two forts were dis- 
covered, on the right bank, the guns of which began to 
play briskly upon the squadron. The small boats were 
immediately manned with storming parties, and darted 
for the shore, under cover of a rapid fire from the 
steamers and gunboats. The Mexicans did not wait 
to meet the assailants, but retreated down one side of 
the hill, as the gallant tars from the American vessels 
sprang up the other, shouting and cheering at the top 
of their voices. The forts being captured, the flotilla 
again moved forward. 

On approaching Tuspan, another fort erected on a 
high hill, commanding the town, opened on the squad- 
ron. Volleys of musketry were fired, at the same time, 
from the thickets of chaparral on the bank of the river. 
Two parties were now landed ; one of whom proceeded 



CAPTURE OF THE TOWN. 447 

against the fort, which was carried without serious re- 
sistance, and the other entered the town. Most of the 
inhabitants had fled into the interior, and but very few 
soldiers were seen, who were brave enough to stand, 
even for a few moments, before the American fire. 
Commodore Perry took possession of the town, having 
lost but seventeen men, killed and wounded, during the 
day, and ordered the forts on the river to be destroyed.* 
Those inhabitants who were peaceably disposed, were 
invited to return and resume their occupations ; and 
on the 22nd instant, the Commodore re-embarked his 
forces, and set sail for Vera Cruz, leaving the Albany 
and Reefer, under Captain Breese, to guard the river 
and town, and also directing one of his vessels to block- 
ade the stream on which the town of Soto de Marina 
is situated. 

The attempt of the Mexican government to annoy 
American commerce, by the issue of letters of marque, 
was wholly unsuccessful. Early in the spring of 1846, 
the Carmelita, a merchant vessel, was seized on the 
high seas and carried into Barcelona, by an armed ves- 
sel, called the Unico, claiming to cruise under Mexican 
authority. The alleged prize was at once restored by 
the Spanish authorities, and the captors were impris- 
oned for trial. t This was the only capture made by 
the enemy, and the American merchantmen pursued 
their way, from shore to shore, unmolested, while our 

• Several guns of the Truxton, which, it will be recollected, was lost 
on the bar at the mouth of Tuspan river, in the summer of 1846, were 
found mounted in the forts. These, with a number of other articles be- 
longing to the same vessel, were all recovered, and taken away by the 
Bquadron. 

t Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 6th, 
1847. 



448 SECOND VISIT TO TABASCO. 

vessels of war continued the rigid blockade of the Mex- 
ican ports. 

The next enterpiise of any moment, undertaken oy 
Commodore Perry, was a visit to Tabasco, whose citi- 
zens had threatened the population of Fronteira with 
their vengeance, for daring to hold intercourse with 
the American vessels. The iEtna and Bonita, under 
Commander Van Brunt, were sent to protect the place 
soon after the capture of Tuspan, and on the 1st of 
June the Spitfire left Vera Cruz, and arrived at Fron- 
teira on the 3rd instant, where she remained until the 
11th. She then ran down the coast, fringed with the 
rich Campeachy dye-woods, and adorned with the 
beautiful forests, — 

" where the palm tapers, and the orange glows, 

Where the light bamboo weaves her feathery screen, 

And her far shade the matchless ceiba throws ! — 

to Laguna, the highest port of Yucatan,* sixty miles 
distant from Fronteira. The steamer Scorpion, bomb- 
vessel Hecla, and a gunboat, under Commander Bige- 
low, \Vere at Laguna ; and on the 12th instant, the 
Spitfire returned to Fronteira, in company with the 
Scorpion, to take part in an expedition up the river. 

Commodore Perry reached Fronteira with the Mis- 
sissippi, and the other vessels of the attacking squadron, 
on the 13th instant; and, at sunset on the following 
day, the flotilla of small steamers and gunboats weighed 
anchor, and commenced ascending the stream. Com- 
modore Perry, in the Scorpion, with the brig Wash- 

♦ Yucatan signified her willingness to reunite with the other Mexi- 
can States, under the constitution adopted after the return of Santa 
Anna; but she took very little part in the war. Supplies had been 
shipped from Laguna, but this could not be continued after the blockade 
•f the port. 



ASCENT OF THE RIVER. 449 

ington and bomb- vessel Vesuvius in tow, moved in 
advance ; followed by the Spitfire, with the bomb-ves- 
sel Stromboli, and tiie Bonita ; the Vixen, having the 
iEtna in tow ; and the Scourge, w ith a schooner con- 
taining the apparatus of Captain Taylor to lighten the 
vessels over any obstruction in the river. Each vessel 
tow^ed from ten to twenty small boats, loaded down to 
the gunwales with armed sailors and marines, and field 
artillery. The whole force amounted to about 1,500 
men, and the aquatic procession, which was nearly six 
miles in length, presented a most imposing sight, as it 
wound up the crooked stream. 

At sunset on the 15th, the flotilla arrived within five 
hundred yards of the " Devil's Bend," near which obsta- 
cles had been sunk to prevent the ascent of the river. 
Here they were suddenly hailed by volleys of musketry 
fired from the thick screen of mangrove-trees on the 
starboard bank. Streams of grape and canister were 
instantly poured upon the enemy, who soon deserted 
the bushes ; and the vessels then came to anchor for 
the night. A straggling fire was kept up, but no 
attempt was made to attack the Americans, who had 
prepared themselves against a surprise. 

The morning of the IGth dawned beautifully, and 
the fragrant and balmy breeze that stole through the 
branches of the tall palms bending so gracefully over 
the stream, scarcely disturbed its silvery current. 
Lieutenant May was now ordered forward with a 
boat's crew to sound the river, and the other vessels 
followed to protect him. While engaged in making 
the soundings, the party w'ere fired upon from a con- 
cealed breastwork, which was silenced by the guns of 
the squadron. Commodore Perry then determined to 
land a part of his force, and assault the town in rear, 



450 THE CITY CAPTURED. 

while the vessels should move up and attack it in front. 
At eleven o'clock the commodore put off for the shore, 
with 800 men in sixty barges, and eight six-pounder 
guns. An irregular militia force,* under General 
Bruno, had been organized to defend the approaches to 
Tabasco, but the landing was not seriously opposed. 
The Americans sprang up the steep banks of the river, 
with deafening shouts, dragging the field-pieces after 
them, and dashed along the road leading to the town, 
but four miles distant by tlie land route. f 

The vessels remained at anchor for about two hours, 
when they again moved up the river, running over the 
bar in nine feet water, and turning up some of the piles 
which formed the chevaux-de-frise. The drums beat 
to quarters, and the men all took their stations, antici- 
pating a warm reception from the enemy. On turn- 
ing the bend below Fort Accachappa, its heavy twenty- 
four-pounders sent forth a thundering peal, which was 
promptly answered by the long guns of the flotilla, 
whose shot and shell told with singular precision. Vol- 
leys of musketry were also rained incessantly from the 
bushes, and the carbines of the Americans were soon 
actively served. In a few moments the Mexican flag 
was struck ; three or four rounds of short -fused shell 
and grape were thrown from the Spitfire ; and Lieu- 
tenant Porter then pulled for the shore with about 

♦ The central government of Mexico made few or no attempts to aid 
the departments remote from the capital, and left them to rely mainly 
upon their own resources. Had the inhabitants of Tabasco been more 
united, the Americans would probably have found greater difficulty in 
capturing the town, but it has long been the theatre of incessant broila 
and strifes, and was poorly prepared to resist an invader. 

f Commodore Perry landed upon the same spot where Cortes em- 
barked a part of his force, under Avila, previous to his capture of Ta- 
basco. 



SKIRMISHES. 451 

twenty men, and displayed the stripes and stars on the 
captured fort. The breastwork was pierced for four 
guns, three of them twenty-four-pounders, and the 
fourth a smaller piece. Three six-pounder field-pieces 
were also found in the fort, which were borne away as 
trophies, — the other guns being spiked. 

In the meantime a party from the Scorpion had 
landed in the city, about half a mile further up, where 
they were met by the alcalde, who surrendered the 
place. A considerable force, under General Garcia, 
had been stationed in the city for its protection, and 
disregarding the action of the civil authorities, they 
commenced firing upon the Americans from the house- 
tops and corners of the streets. Midshipman Brice- 
land broke a hole through the roof of the Governor's 
house, and planted the American flag amidst a shower 
of bullets. Commodore Perry shortly after came up 
with the land force, having driven the Mexican mili- 
tia, from thicket to thicket, as he advanced ; and the 
armed parties of the enemy now abandoned the town 
to the victors. 

Leaving the Spitfire, Vixen, Scourge and iEtna, as 
guard-ships at Tabasco, Commodore Perry returned to 
Fronteira with the remainder of the flotilla. The Mex- 
icans were not disposed to rest quiet, especially when 
so feeble a force was left to overawe them. Including 
the marines, the Americans could muster but 175 men 
to serve ashore. These w^ere quartered in the main 
plaza, with three field-pieces, and the guns of the vessels 
were trained so as to rake the suburbs with shell. The 
Mexican guerilleros prowled about the town every 
night, plundering the citizens, and annoying the Amer- 
icans on shore. During the day they secreted them- 
selves in the thickets and thatched huts on the outskirts 



.452 AFFAIR AT TIMULTE. 

of the city, or in the neighboring villages. Several 
skirmishes took place, in the course of which a number 
of the light bamboo cottages were burned by the Amer- 
icans. At length the latter became nearly worn out 
w^ith incessant watching and fighting, and the Vixen 
was dispatched to Commodore Perry for assistance. 
She returned on the 29th of June, with a reinforce- 
ment of 100 sailors and marines; and on ihe 1st of 
July a force of 200 men, consisting of ninety marines, 
under Lieutenants Slack, Shutlleworth and Adams, the 
crew of the Spitfire under Lieutenant Porter, and a 
number of officers and volunteers, from the Scorpion, 
iEtna, and Scourge, with two field-pieces, marched 
against Timulte, a small village four miles from Ta- 
basco. About five hundred of the Tabasco militia, un- 
der Genei^als Chigane and Garcia, were in ambuscade 
near the town, and fired upon the party as they ap- 
proached. The contest was brief. The guns were 
fired but twice before the enemy were seen scattering 
through the bushes in flight. The sailors and marines 
pursued them till they were quite exhausted, when or- 
ders were given to return to Tabasco, where they ar- 
rived at sunset, having captured a large quantity of 
arms and ammunition, and killed and wounded from 
seventy-five to one hundred of the enemy, with the 
loss of only two men killed and four wounded. 

Commodore Perry retained possession of Tabasco 
until the 22nd of July, when he ordered the place to be 
evacuated, not caring to expose the health of his men 
by the permanent occupation of the city. Many of the 
inhabitants, through fear of the ragged and half-starved 
soldiery, who had previously been quartered on them, 
accompanied the American vessels to Fronteira, where 
Commander Van Brunt was directed to remain, with 



DIFFICULTIES IN' YUCATAN. ' 453 

the Scourge, iEtna, and Bonita, to guard the river and 
protect the inhabitants. Commodore Perry, with the 
rest of the squadron, returned to Vera Cruz. 

During the further continuance of hostilities, the 
Gulf Squadron was principally employed in enforcing 
the blockade, and in affording relief to the white in- 
habitants of Yucatan. The Indian population of the 
department manifested symptoms of hostility early in 
the winter of 1847. A disturbance took place at Tzi- 
mizin in February, and a second one in July following. 
Subsequently the Indian population rose in a mass, and 
commenced an indiscriminate massacre of the whites. 
The latter were forced to fly to the seaports, and took 
refuge on board the vessels lying on the coast. Com- 
modore Perry assisted them as far as he was able, and 
a treaty was finally concluded between the leading 
men of the two races, when quiet and order were re- 
stored. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR. 

Defence of Puebla— Occupation of the Prominent Points on the Na- 
tional Road — March of General Lane to the Relief of Colonel Childs 
— Battle of Huamantk — Attack on Atlixco — The Guerilleros — Open- 
ing of General Scott's Communications— The Mexican Congress and 
Government — Negotiations Resumed — The Army in the Capital — 
Orders for the Collection of Taxes — Expedition to Tehuacan — Affairs 
in California — Capture of Guayamas and Mazatian— Defence of La 
Paz and San Jose — March of General Price upon Chihuahua — Storm- 
ing of Santa Cruz de Resales. 

Like the memorable retreat of the British army from 
Burgos, the evacuation of their capital by the Mexican 
forces was peculiarly unfortunate. Its consequences 
were more disastrous than the loss of a dozen pitched 
battles. The legitimate fruits of insubordination were 
speedily visible ; and the murmur — at first low, but por- 
tentous — soon swelled into a loud and general outburst 
of discontent. There were angry disputes and alter- 
cations among the officers ; and tiie leaven of strife, 
once animated, spread rapidly through the ranks. 
The National Guard disbanded by companies and reg- 
iments, — many of their number returning to the city, 
to mingle with the populace and excite them to ven- 
geance, — some flying to join the guerilla bands on the 
line of the National road, — and others, who did not care 
again to incur the hazards and chances of war, escap- 
ing to the more distant sections of the country. 

Santa Anna no longer possessed the ability to con- 



GARRISON OF PUEBLA. 455 

trol the turbulent masses of which his army was com- 
posed ; the spell, by which he had harmonized the dis- 
cordant elements, was dissolved ; his influence was 
gone — the wand of the magician broken. Accom- 
panied by from three to four thousand infantry and 
lancers, he directed his course towards the city of Pu- 
ebla, already threatened by a large force of irregular 
cavalry and guerilleros, under General Rea. General 
Alvarez, with about three thousand men, moved round 
the valley, into the State of Oajaca ; and still another 
fragment of the once formidable array, consisting of 
cavalry, artillery and infantry, followed the movement 
to Queretaro, under General Herrera. While on his 
way to the new seat of government, the acting Presi- 
dent, Pena y Pena, directed an order to be issued at 
Toluca, requiring Santa Anna to surrender the com- 
mand of the forces under his immediate orders to Gen- 
eral Rincon, until his conduct should be examined into 
by a military council. Before the order was received, 
he had once more learned how vain it was, how worse 
than useless, to struggle against his destiny. 

When General Scott moved from Puebla upon the 
Mexican capital, it will be remembered. Colonel Childs 
was left in command at the former place, with a garri- 
son composed of detachments from different regiments. 
His actual effective force numbered about 400, con- 
sisting of one company of the 3rd dragoons, under Cap- 
tain Ford, one company of the 2nd and one of the 4th 
artillery, under Captains Kendrick and Miller, and six 
companies of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant 
Colonel Black.* Besides these, however, there were 
1,800 sick in the hospitals — a great number of whom 

♦ Colonel Chillis ha<], also, a company of Mexican spies, under Cap- 
tain Arria, who did good service in the defence of the city. 



456 INVESTMENT OF THE CITY. 

were convalescent, or became so not long after the de- 
parture of the main army, and v^^re capable, either of 
bearing arms, or of aiding, in some other manner, in 
the defence of the positions occupied by the garrison, — 
which was thus increased to near 1,400 men. 

During the occupation of Puebla by the American 
forces, Atlixco became the seat of government of the 
state ; guerilla expeditions, to operate in different di- 
rections, were fitted out here ; and it was also the 
head-quarters of General Rea, who commanded the 
regular and irregular troops in this quarter. A tolera- 
ble degree of quiet prevailed in the city of Puebla, sub- 
sequent to the forward movement of General Scott, 
dnd while the armistice vvas in force,* except that, on 
the 26th of August, a large body of the enemy's cavalry 
appeared in sight, and captured and drove off a num- 
ber of mules. A small party of twenty-six men, mostly 
teamsters, immediately mounted and started in pursuit. 
Within an hour's ride of the city, they were surrounded 
by the enemy, and nearly annihilated. Ten of the 
party were killed, several badly wounded, and a few 
taken prisoners. 

After this occurrence, no further open act of hos- 
tility took place, although robberies were frequently 
committed by the guerilleros, in the city and its vicin- 
ity, until the night of the 13th of September, when a 
warm, but desultory fire, was opened from the main 
street leading to the Plaza, the Tivoli,t and the tops of 

■ • The official dispatches of General Scott, communicating the events 
of the l9th and 20th of August, which were sent by carriers provided 
with passports from Santa Anna, while the armistice was in force, did 
not reach Puebla, in consequence of the guerillsros infesting the road. 

•|- The Tivoli is one of the finest ornaments of Puebla. It is a most 
beautiful promenade, with three broad avenues, lined with stately trees, 
each separated by a stream of water. 



THE AMERICAN POSTS. 457 

some of the neighboring houses, on the citadel of San 
Jose, within the protection of which the hospitals had 
been removed upon the first indications of an outbreak. 
The fire proceeded from the forces of General Rea, 
about 4,000 in number, who had entered the town in 
the course of the day, with a determination, in con- 
junction with the lower classes of the inhabitants, to 
force the Americans to abandon their positions. 

San Jose was the head-quarters of Colonel Childs, 
and the principal depot of supplies. The immediate 
command of the post was intrusted to Lieutenant Col- 
onel Black, who had with him four companies of the 
1st Pennsylvania, Captain Ford's company of dragoons, 
Captain Miller's company of artillery, and a battery of 
mountain howitzers in charge of Lieutenant Laidley, 
of the ordnance. Two other prominent points in the 
city, — Fort Loretto, and the Convent of Guadaloupe, — 
were likewise garrisoned. The latter is the first object 
of importance that attracts the attention, as you enter 
the town by the National road, from the east ; it is 
perched on an eminence, on the right, commanding the 
approaches in that direction, and has a ditch and revet- 
ted wall around it ; but, during the siege, it was in a 
dilapidated condition. Fort Loretto, on the same ridge, 
but lower, and further to the west, is a regular work, 
with four barbette batteries, one at each angle, which 
commands a great part of the city, and rakes the prin- 
cipal street. This was garrisoned by about 350 men, 
consisting of Captain Kendrick's company of artilleiy, 
Captain Hill's company of the 1st Pennsylvania, and 
a number of sick who were convalescent, with two 
twelve-pounder field guns, and a ten-inch mortar — the 
whole commanded by Major Gwynn, of the 6th in- 
fantry. Captain Morehead, of the 1st Pennsylvania, 

20 



458 REPEATED ATTACKS. 

occupied the Convent of Guadaloupe, with one com- 
pany of his regiment ; a number of sick, convalescent ; 
and tvi^o mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant Ed- 
wards, of the 2nd artillery. 

The fire of the enemy on the night of the 13th of 
September, was briskly returned by Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Black, who remained with his command, including 
the inmates of the hospital able to carry muskets, on 
the roofs of San Jose and the adjacent buildings, till 
the morning of the 14th. At night the firing recom- 
menced with more spirit and warmth, and was contin- 
ued day after day, and night after night, until the gar- 
I'ison were almost worn out with watching and exposure. 
,The number of the assailants was augmented daily, and 
their fire grew more intense. On the 22nd instant, 
Santa Anna arrived with the troops who had followed 
him from Mexico ; and the domes and towers of the 
cathedra], its dark gray walls of porphyry, and the 
spires and roofs of the humbler church edifices in the 
city, were vocal with the merry peals rung forth to 
welcome his approach. A prompt discharge of shells 
and round-shot from Fort Loretto, which had several 
times silenced unusual disturbances in the city, or 
checked the enemy's fire when it became too hot, soon 
put an end to the ringing of the bells. 

The enemy, with their numerous cavalry, had suc- 
ceeded, at the commencement of the siege, in cutting 
oflf all kinds of supplies ; but they vainly attempted to 
change the current of the stream of water on which 
the Americans depended. Fortunately, the latter had 
secured four hundred sheep and thirty head of cattle, 
the very night before the flocks and herds disappeared 
from the vicinity. Still, it seemed as if that feeble gar- 
rison must fall an easy prey to the numerous army that 



SUMMONS TO SURRENDER. 459 

had invested the posts they occupied. Yet, notwith- 
standing their precarious position, they were animated 
by the best spirit, and, with a bold and determined 
front, an undoubting confidence, and a courage of 
mailed proof, they awaited the general assault which 
they supposed would shortly be made.* 

On the 23rd instant, a dropping fire was kept up on 
San Jose ; and a part of the enemy's forces were sent 
against Guadaloupe, but they were repulsed with se- 
vere loss, and retired in great haste and disorder. A 
second attempt was made on the convent, in the after- 
noon of the 24th, by a party about 500 strong, under a 
general officer, who approached within one hundred 
and fifty yards of the breastwork, and discharged their 
pieces. A brisk fire dispersed them in a moment, with 
the loss of ten men killed, and a much greater number 
wounded. Fort Loretto remained unmolested, though 
its guns rendered essential service, in checking the 
constant shower of bullets poured from the streets and 
balconies, the house-tops and churches, upon the gar- 
rison of San Jose. 

On the 25th of September, Santa Anna summoned 
Colonel Childs to surrender, informing him that there 
were 8,000 men in his vicinity, but offering to permit 
him and his command, if they evacuated the city within 
a certain time, to join General Scott, or the garrison 
of Perote. But one reply could be given to the sum- 
mons ; — where duty pointed, there inclination led the 

* " Never did troops endure more fatigue, by watching night after 
night, for more than thirty successive nights, nor exhibit more patience, 
spirit, and gallantry. Not a post of danger could present itself, but the 
gallant fellows v/ere ready to fill it. Not a sentinel could be shot, but 
another was anxious and ready to take his place. Officers and soldiers 
vied with each other, to be honored martyrs in their country's cause."— 
Official report of Colonel Childs, October, 1 3th 1847. 



460 CONTINUED FIGHTING. 

way. Colonel Childs assured the Mexican commander, 
on the same day, that his means were ample ;and that, 
as he had been left to guard the positions held by his 
troops, he should defend them to the last. He then 
rode to the different posts, and communicated both the 
summons and reply to his men, who gave the latter a 
most cordial and hearty response. 

Contrary to the expectations of the American troops, 
no attack was made on the night of the 25th, or on the 
following day. On the 27th, the assault was resumed, 
and a heavy cannonade was opened from San Juan de 
Dios, and the convents of Santa Rosa, and Santa Mo- 
nica. A constant fire was now kept up from Fort Lo- 
retto, from which the city and the inhabitants suffered 
severely. Infantry pickets were also detailed from the 
fort, who became warmly engaged with parties of the 
enemy. In the morning of the 29th, Lieutenant Lewis 
sallied out from Guadaloupe, with a party, and attacked 
a body of Mexicans firing on San Jose ; after a sharp 
conflict, in which eight of the enemy were killed, and 
a great number wounded, a shower of rain compelled 
him to retire. Another successful sally was made from 
the same point, in the afternoon, by a party under 
Lieutenant Bryan. 

During the night of the 29th, Santa Anna placed 
two six-pounders in battery, above the Tivoli, pro- 
tected by a breastwork of cotton bags, which opened 
with much spirit on San Jose, in the morning of the 
30th instant. In anticipation of this movement, Col- 
onel Childs had thrown up a traverse on the Plaza, and 
withdrawn a twelve-pounder from Fort Loretto, with 
which he returned the enemy's fire. Throughout the 
day the firing was animated and incessant ; but, fail- 
ing to make any impression on the American works, 



EEINFORCEMENTS FOR THE ARMY. 461 

the Mexican guns ceased playing towards nightfall, 
and on the morning of the 1st of October, Santa Anna 
marched out from the city with his troops, and three 
pieces of artillery, to meet the reinforcements under- 
stood to be hastening up from the coast, to the relief 
of Colonel Childs. General Rea remained with his 
forcfes, and continued the attack with vigor and zeal. 

Reinforcements for the column under General Scott 
were constantly arriving at Vera Cruz, during the 
summer and fall, and were dispatched as rapidly as 
possible into the interior, to open his communications, 
and, if necessary, to join the main body of the army. 
Colonel Hughes, of the Maryland and District of Co- 
lumbia volunteers, left Vera Cruz on the 6th of Sep- 
tember, with a battalion of his regiment, one company 
of the lllh and one of the 12[h infantry, and 100 
Louisiana cavalry — in all 400 strong — together with 
two pieces of artillery. The guerilleros were discov- 
ered, as usual, at the Robbers' Den ; but they did not 
attempt to impede his march. On the 9th instant, 
the command approached the National Bridge, when 
the enemy's heads were seen peeping over the fortifi- 
cations on the heights. The guns were immediately 
planted within six hundred yards of the fort, but the 
Mexicans were found to be posted too high to be 
reached by their fire ; whereupon Colonel Hughes or- 
dered the hill to be carried with the bayonet. Major 
Kenley moved up in reverse with three companies, — 
his men laying aside their jackets and knapsacks, and 
carrying nothing but their arms and canteens. Nearly 
three hours were spent in climbing the sleep ascent, 
which could only be done by clinging to the roots, and 
the long trailing vines of the dark purple grape, that 
were spread all over the hill-side. On reaching the 



462 GENERAL LANE LEAVES VERA CRUZ. 

crest, the party paused a few seconds for breath, and 
then dashed into the fort which the enemy had hur- 
riedly evacuated. Having thus driven the Mexicans 
from the position, Colonel Hughes established his troops 
at this point, to keep the road open. 

Colonel Collins, of the 5th Illinois, followed the com- 
mand of Colonel Hughes in a few days, with a part of 
his regiment, and a detachment of Louisiana rangers, 
under Captain Fairchild, and took post at the Rio 
Frio. He was once attacked by the guerilleros, but 
repulsed them with loss. On the 10th of September, 
Captain Heintzleman, of the 2nd infantry, left Vera 
Cruz, with a mixed command of 350 men, and halted, 
temporarily, at the San Juan river. General Lane 
took up the line of march, on the 19th instant, with 
over 1,700 men, — his command consisting of the 4th 
Ohio, Colonel Brough ; 4th Indiana, Colonel Gorman ; 
Captain Lewis' company of Louisiana cavalry ; and a 
detachment of recruits for different regiments of regu- 
lars, under Captain Simmons ; together with the light 
batteries of Captain Taylor, of the 3rd artillery, and 
Lieutenant Pratt, of the 2nd artillery. On approach- 
ing the San Juan, a party of guerilleros was discov- 
ered near the hacienda of Santa Anna, and Captain 
Lewis was detached with his company in pursuit; 
Lieutenant Lilley, with a part of the company, came 
up with the enemy, and a smart skirmish ensued, in 
which the Mexicans were severely worsted. On leav- 
ing Paso de Ovejas, also, the rear-guard was fired 
upon by a small guerilla force, and a brief conflict 
took place, in which Lieutenant Kline, of Captain 
Lewis' company, was killed. The enemy were again 
driven off, and the command continued their march^ 



MARCH TO THE RELIEF OF COLONEL CHILD3. 463 

having been joined by the detachment under Captain 
Heintzleman. 

General Lane left a portion of the Indiana regiment, 
under Major McCoy, at the Puente Nacional ; but, 
upon his arrival at the Plan del Rio, on the 27th of 
September, he learned that Major Lally, then at Ja- 
lapa, had received orders to move forward to Puebla 
with all possible speed. General Lane instantly sent 
an express back to the National Bridge, with orders 
for Major McCoy to join him at once with all the dis- 
posable troops at the post, except the battalion of Col- 
onel Hughes' regiment. When Major McCoy came 
up, the column pressed rapidly forw^ard towards Pu- 
ebla, through Jalapa and Perote, taking with them the 
troops under Major Lally and Colonel Wyukoop. At 
Perote, General Lane was informed that a large force 
was concentrating in his front, and, on reaching the 
hacienda of San Antonio Tamaris, on the morning of 
the 9th of October, he learned that the enemy were at 
the city of Huamantla, which lies between Perote and 
Puebla, and a little east of the National road. 

Leaving his train at San Antonio Tamaris, guarded 
by the Ohio regiment, Captain Simmons' detachment, 
and Lieutenant Pratt's battery, General Lane advanced 
against Huamantla, where Santa Anna was concen- 
trating his forces, for the last time, as it proved, during 
the war, to encounter an American commander. The 
force moving upon Huamantla was something more 
than 2,000 strong,* and consisted of four companies 
of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Colonel Wynkoop; 
Colonel Gorman's Indiana volunteers ; the detach- 
ments under Major Lally, and Captains Heintzleman 
and Simmons ; four companies of mounted rifles and 

♦ General Lane's whole command numbered about 3,300. 



464 AFFAIR AT HUAMANTLA. 

volunteer cavalry, under Captains "Walker, Besan^on, 
Loyal], and Lewis ; and five pieces of artillery, under 
Captain Taylor. The Americans arrived near the 
city about one o'clock in the afternoon, and General 
Lane then ordered Captain Walker to move ahead of 
the column with the cavalry companies, but to keep 
within supporting distance, and, if the enemy were in 
force, to wait for the infantry to close up. 

When within three miles of the city, parties of 
horsemen were seen making their way tow^ards it, 
through the fields, and Captain Walker advanced at a 
gallop : — owing to the dense thickets of maguey lining 
the road, it was impossible to distinguish his further 
movements, from the main column ; but, in a few mo- 
ments, a sharp, quick firing was heard in the direction 
of the town. At the same time a body of lancers, 
supposed to be over 2,000 strong, commanded by 
Santa Anna in person, were observed moving rapidly 
over the hills, in a line parallel with the march of the 
American troops, as if striving to reach the city before 
them. General Lane immediately hurried forward, 
with the remainder of his troops, at a run. Colonel 
Gorman was directed to enter the west side of the 
city with his regiment ; while Colonel Wynkoop's 
battalion and the artillery, having Captain Heintzle- 
man's detachment on their right, moved towards the 
east side. The command of Major Lally was held in 
reserve. 

On gaining the entrance of the city, Captain Walker 
discovered about five hundred of the enemy, with three 
pieces of artillery, in the Plaza, and ordered a charge. 
His men rushed forward gallantly, routed the Mexicans 
in an instant, and drove them from their guns. While 
the command were scattered in the pursuit, and conse- 




THE GALLANT CAPT. WALKER. 



DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 465 

quently somewhat in disorder, Santa Anna fell upon 
them with his lancers. A fierce hand-to-hand conflict 
took place, in which the American cavalry sustained 
considerable loss. Captain Walker wa§ killed fighting 
bravely ; but his men held the ground manfully, though 
unable to fire the captured guns, from the want of prim- 
ing tubes. Colonel Gorman, however, had now arrived 
with the Indiana volunteers, and opened a well-directed 
fire on the enemy. Their line soon wavered and broke. 
Before Colonel Wynkoop and the artillery came within 
range, they were completely dispersed, the city was in 
possession of the American troops, and the colors of 
the Indiana regiment planted on the arsenal. Two of 
the Mexican pieces were captured ; toa'ether with a 
large quantity of ammunition, and a number o wagons, 
which General Lane ordered to be destroyea.' The 
enemy lost one hundred and fifty, killed and wounded, 
in this affair ; and the Americans thirteen killed and 
eleven wounded. A number of prisoners were also 
taken, among whom were Colonel La Vega, and Major 
Iturbide, — the latter a son of the former Emperor of 
Mexico. 

Having rejoined his train, General Lane proceeded 
to Puebla, where he arrived on the 12th of October. 
As his troops approached the city, a rapid firing was 
heard, which assured him that Colonel Childs was not 
yet entirely vanquished. Feeling confident, therefore, 
that his force was strong enough to enter the town at 
once, he directed Colonel Brough, with the Ohio regi- 
ment and Captain Heintzleman's detachment, to pro- 
ceed along the main road, and Colonel Gorman, with 
the Indiana volunteers, to feel his way cautiously into 
the city, further to the east and left. 

The attack on the American posts in Puebla, was 
20* 



466 SUCCESSFUL SORTIES. 

continued, without cessation, after the departure of 
Santa Anna. On the 2nd of October, Colonel Childs 
availed himself of the reduction of the enemy's num- 
bers, to make a sortie against some barricades and build- 
ings, the fire from which had become very annoying. 
One of the expeditions was confided to Captain Small, 
of the 1st Pennsylvania, who passed through the walls 
of an entire square, by the aid of picks and crowbars, 
with fifty men, gained a position opposite one of the 
largest barricades, and drove the enemy from behind 
it with great loss, — they leaving seventeen dead on the 
ground. The barricade, consisting of one hundred and 
fifty bales of cotton, was consumed ; and Captain Small 
retained possession of a prominent building near it, for 
twenty-four hours, when it was blown up by Lieutenant 
Laidley. Another expedition was intrusted to Lieu- 
tenant Morgan, of the 14th infantry, with a detach- 
ment of marine" and Lieutenant Merrifield, of the 15th 
infantry, w' a party of rifles. They attempted to 
gain possession of certain buildings from which a gall- 
ing fire was constantly poured, but were only partially 
successful, and returned again to San Jose. On the 
5th instant, Captain Herron, of the 1st Pennsylvania, 
was detached with his company to take possession of 
a building, from which the enemy had been enfilading 
the Plaza, and accomplished it in a handsome manner. 
Successful sorties were also made from Guadaloupe, on 
the 6th and 8th, by Lieutenant Edwards and Captain 
Johnson, with small parties. 

The assailants were largely reinforced on the 8th 
instant; the supplies of the garrison were growing 
low ; and affairs began to assume a still more critical 
aspect. Still, there were no symptoms of giving way, 
and none proposed a surrender. The Mexicans made 



ARRIVAL OF GENERAL LANE AT PUEBLA. 467 

a close demonstration in the afternoon of the 8th, hui 
were promptly met and repulsed. On the 10th, hos- 
tilities were suspended ; a few scattering shots were 
thrown until the night of the 11th ; and on the follow- 
ing morning the enemy began to retire from their posi- 
tions. The movement had already commenced when 
General Lane arrived with his reinforcements, and 
opened his fire on the disappointed troops of General 
Rea. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel Black had moved 
down the main street, with two companies of the 1st 
Pennsylvania, under Captains Hill and Herron, to si- 
lence a warm fire still kept up near the Plaza. At his 
approach, a body of lancers fled down a cross street, 
and Captain Herron was directed to move round the 
square with his company, and cut off their retreat. 
Whilst hastening to execute the order. Captain Herron 
was suddenly surrounded by over five hundred lancers, 
who charged upon him from the lanes and cross-streets 
intersecting the road along which he was moving ; his 
men fought with the utmost desperation, losing thirteen 
killed and four wounded ; but they were at length res- 
cued from their perilous situation by the timely arrival 
of Lieutenant Colonel Black, with Captain Hill's com- 
pany, who had moved upon the enemy in front. 

The long-continued siege of the posts occupied by 
the American troops in the city of Puebla, was now 
terminated. Their anxiety and suspense were at an 
end. Although they had lost but nineteen killed and 
fifty-one wounded during the attack,* and had never 
doubted their ability to maintain the position ; yet, their 
emotions can be more easily conceived than expressed, 

* From the nature of the case, it was impossible to ascertain the ex- 
tent of the enemy's loss, in the course of the siege. It has been esti- 
mated at from 500 to 1,000 killed and wounded. 



468 MARCH AGAINST ATLIXCO. 

when they caught sight of the glistening sabres, the flash- 
ing bayonets, and the victorioiis banners of General 
Lane, as his columns wound through the now almost 
deserted streets ; and when his trumpets sounded their 
shrill notes of defiance, every man breathed " freer and 
deeper," and felt prouder of his country, of her honor 
and fame. 

On the evening of the 18th of October, General Lane 
learned that General Rea was then quartered at At- 
lixco, about ten leagues distant, with a considerable 
force, and immediately made preparations for a forced 
march on that place on the ensuing day. At eleven 
o'clock in the forenoon of the 19th, he left Puebla with 
the 4th Ohio, Colonel Brough ; the 4lh Indiana, Colonel 
Gorman; a battalion of the 1st Pennsylvania, Colonel 
Wynkoop ; the battalions of Major Lally and Captain 
Heintzleman ; the batteries of Captain Taylor and 
Lieutenant Pratt ; and a squadron of dragoons, under 
Captain Ford. 

General Lane's column pressed forward all day, at 
a rapid rate, though exposed to the broiling sun, which 
beat fiercely on their heads ; and at four o'clock in the 
afternoon they reached Santa Isabella, three leagues 
from Atlixco, where the Mexican advance guard was 
posted. The enemy's outposts were driven in by the 
dragoons, who pursued them for more than a mile. 
They then made a stand on a small hill, and contested 
the ground warmly, until the American infantry ap- 
peared, when they continued their retreat. A run- 
ning fight was kept up for four miles, and, within a 
mile and a half of Atlixco, the main body of the en- 
emy were discovered posted on the side of a hill cov- 
ered with thick chaparral. The American dragoons 
dismounted, and fought on foot, cutting and hewing 



CAPTURE OF THE TOWN. 469 

the way with their sabres. The contest was severe 
and bloody, and the hill-side was strewn with the 
dead bodies of the Mexican guerilleros. The in- 
fantry, nearly exhausted, and panting for breath, hav- 
ing strained every nerve for the last six miles, soon 
arrived, and the enemy again retreated. The artil- 
lery took no part in the slurmishing, as the road was 
intersected by such deep guUeys that they could only 
advance at a walk. 

Although his horses and men were almost over- 
come. General Lane followed like a sleuth-hound on 
the track. Notwithstanding their utmost efforts, his 
troops were unable to reach Atlixco before the night 
had set in. The moon was shining gloriously, how- 
ever; and its softened light came down pure and 
clear, through the highly rarified atmosphere of that 
elevated clime, throwing out the prominent objects 
in bolder relief, and enveloping the shadows in still 
deeper gloom. Several shots were fired upon the 
Americans as they approached the town, but General 
Lane deemed it unwise to risk a street fight, in a place 
of which he and his men were so entirely ignorant. 
He therefore ordered the batteries to be brought up, 
and to open their fire. A most picturesque sight was 
now presented, and it might even have been consid- 
ered beautiful, were it not for the blazing roofs and 
tumbling walls, the shrieking women and aff'righted 
children. The cannonade was continued for about 
three-quarters of an hour, and Colonel Brough and 
Major Lally were then ordered to advance with care 
and caution. The ayuntamiento soon made their ap- 
pearance, and begged that the town might be spared. 
General Lane listened to their request, and suspended 
his operations. In the morning search was made for 



470 THE GUERILLA BANDS. 

arms and ammunition, quantities of which were found 
and destroyed. 

General Rea made his escape ..from Atlixco with 
400 guerilleros ; but the stroke was as effectual, as 
it was bold and well-executed. The inhabitants of 
.the town had hitherto clamored loudly for a contin- 
uance of the war, but, now that its terrors were 
brought to their own firesides, they began to assume a 
more pacific tone. General Lane lost but one man 
killed, and one wounded, during the day ; — while the 
enemy had 219 killed, and about 300 wounded. On 
his return to Puebla, he learned, when at Cholula, 
that two pieces of artillery had just been finished 
at Guexocingo, whither he proceeded with a portion 
of his command, and destroyed the carriages, — the 
guns having been previously removed by the enemy. 

Bands of guerilleros still hovered in the neigh- 
borhood of Puebla, after the arrival of General Lane 
with reinforcements, and the consequent raising of 
the siege. The official reports of General Scott were 
repeatedly intercepted;* and on the 19th of October, 
Lieutenant Sears, of the 2nd artillery, on his way 
down from Puebla, with dispatches, escorted by a 
Mexican spy company, under Captain, or, as he is 
sometimes called. Colonel Dominguez, was attacked 
near that city by a large force under General Tor- 
rejon. Having beaten off" the enemy, he proceeded 
on his course; but, on encountering another body, 
under Colonel Vamos, within a short distance, he 
was obliged to return, having lost fifteen killed and 
wounded in the two engagements. The enemy's loss 

• The first information received of the battles in the valley of Mexico, 
on the 8th, I3th and I4th of September, came through Mexican sources, 
and, of course, was greatly exaggerated and untrue. 



SEVERE CHASTISEMENT. 471 

w£.s near one hundred. The escort accompanying 
the bearer of dispatches was now joined by a part 
of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Colonel, Wynkoop, 
who proceeded as far as the Plan del Rio, and soon 
after returned with General Patterson. 

But the plundering propensities, and hostile feelings 
of the guerilleros, were not manifested alone towards 
the Americans, and those connected with them. On 
the 8th of November, a train of thirty- six wagons, 
containing merchandise belonging to merchants in 
Pueb?a and Mexico, left the former place on their way 
to the capital. On reaching San Martin, Generals 
Rea and Torrejon made a descent upon the train, 
with a guerilla force, and captured it. Information 
of this transaction was speedily conveyed to General 
Lane, at Puebla, who forthwith started in pursuit of 
the marauders, with a party of cavalry and infantry. 
At Tlascala he overtook the enemy, who were pro- 
ceeding towards Queretaro with their booty. Cap- 
tain Roberts, of the mounted rifles, in command of 
the cavalry, fell upon a portion of the guerilleros, who 
were attempting to run off the train, and routed them, 
with ease, — killing seventeen of their number, and 
taking thirteen officers prisoners. The wagons, ex- 
cept a number which had been destro3^ed, together 
with their contents, were recaptured. 

General Patterson arrived at Vera Cruz, with large 
reinforcements, shortly after General Lane left for the 
interior. In pursuance of special instructions from 
the War Department, he took effectual measures to 
clear the road of the guerilleros, and to open the com- 
munications of General Scott. 

For the greater part of the distance between Vera 
Cruz and the mountainous country, the roads traver- 



472 HAUNTS OF THE GUERILLEROS. 

sing the low level are lined, on either side, by almost 
impervious thickets of chaparral, with openings, at 
rare intervals, through which glimpses may be ob- 
tained of the lovely sylvan bowers of the tierra cali- 
ente, spangled with flowers, and overhung with the 
arching trees loaded down with their abundant foliage, 
and' the gay vines and creepers lovingly entwined 
about their branches. These thickets are intersected 
by narrow, blind paths, running hither and thither, 
and fornn'ns a. maze as intricate as the windin<Ts of the 
Cretan labyrinth. Leading, as they do, to the haunts 
of the bandits and guerilleros, they are familiar to 
those who use them, in the darkest night. They thus 
serve, both as a covert from which an enemy may 
be fired on unseen, and as hiding-places in which it 
is easy to elude pursuit ; and had those who fre- 
quented them, during tho war with the United States, 
been animated only by that noble and exalted feeling 
of patriotism, which nerves the arm, and strengthens 
the heart, the losses of the American army would 
have been far greater, and more terrible and severe. 

Father Jarauta, who seems to have been the lead- 
ing chieftain among the guerilleros, from Perote to the 
Gulf, had given orders to his men to shoot every 
person who carried provisions into Vera Cruz. He 
had, doubtless, a twofold object in view : — to stop 
the supplies, and to excite the population to join his 
rapidly diminishing band. But his plans were soon 
defeated by the active and vigilant measures of Gen- 
eral Patterson. The country between the Jalapa and 
Orizaba roads, was thoroughly scoured by the Texan 
rangers, under Colonel Hays, at all times the terror of 
the guerilleros, and the other volunteer cavalry. A 
great number of the bandits were killed; their haunts 



EXECUTION OF MEXICAN OFFICERS. 473 

and depots were broken up ; and large stores of arms 
and ammunition were captured and destroyed. 

Having effectually routed the guerilla bands, for the 
present, General Patterson left Vera Cruz, to join 
General Scott, with nearly 4,000 troops. When ho 
reached the National Bridge, he received a message 
from Father Jarauta, making proposals for a surren- 
der,* which he declined ; accompanying his reply, 
however, with some wholesome advice, counselling 
him to keep out of reach, or to forsake his occupation, 
if he hoped to secure favor or commiseration, should 
the chances of war place him in the power of the 
American soldiers. The 13th infantry, Colonel Ech- 
ols, and the light battery of the Maryland and District 
of Columbia regiment, under Captain Tilghman, which 
had accompanied General Patterson from Vera Cruz, 
remained at the Puente Nacional, and the remainder 
of the column pushed on to Jalapa, whither Colonel 
Wynkoop had returned from the Plan del Rio, with 
his command. 

While at Jalapa, on the 24th of October, General 
Patterson caused two Mexican officers, who had been 
: found in command of guerilla parties, in violation of 
paroles previously given, to be executed. The Gen- 
eral was earnestly besought to spare them, by the 
clergy, and the principal citizens of Jalapa, but refused 
to pardon, well knowing that the lesson would not be 
lost on others situated like themselves, many of whom 
were directly or indirectly connected v/ith the guerilla 

* The proposition of Jarauta was perhaps made, on account of the 
dissensions among the guerilieroa. His own immediate bnnJ was mostly 
composed of Spaniards, while Colonel Zcnobio commanded a party of 
native Mexicans. A serious difficulty happened in October, that ter- 
minated in a fight between the two bands, in which the Mexicans were 
sadly beaten 



474 GENERAL SCOTT REINFORCED. 

movements.* These officers with two others, were 
captured on the night of the 19th of October, by Col- 
onel Wynkoop. He had learned that the Indian town 
of Halcomulco, thirty miles from Jalapa, was a noted 
haunt of the guerilleros, and set out for that place in 
the evening with a party of Texan rangers, under 
Captain Witt. Coming suddenly upon the enemy's 
pickets he forced them to act as guides, and entered 
the town. The officers were surprised in their beds ; 
and, having secured his prisoners, Colonel Wynkoop 
was on his way back to Jalapa before sunrise. 

General Cushing was left in command at Jalapa, 
with the Massachusetts regiment, and a detachment of 
mounted men ; and General Patterson then moved for- 
ward towards Mexico, being joined by the 1st Pennsyl- 
vania. He arrived at the capital with his reinforce- 
ments about the 1st of December — the last of his com- 
mand reaching the city on the 8th instant. 

General Butler reached Vera Cruz, on his way to 
the head-quarters of the army, on the 17th of Novem- 
ber. As soon as his arrangements could be completed, 
he marched for the capital, with about 5,000 men, who 
had recently arrived from the United States. Colonel 
Hughes was now ordered forward to Jalapa with his 
regiment, and General Cushing, with the Massachusetts 
volunteers, was directed to proceed to Mexico. At 
Puebla, General Butler was also reinforced by the 
column of General Lane ; and, on the 19th of Decem- 
ber, they joined the main body of the army under Gen- 
eral Scott. Towards the close of the month. General 

♦ General Patterson was equally firm where his own men were lia- 
ble to punishment. On the day previous to the execution of the Mexi- 
can officers, two American teamsters, whom he also refused to pardon, 
were hung for killing a Mexican boy. 



DISTRACTED CONDITION OF MEXICO. 475 

Marshall left Vera Cruz with over 1,700 men ; his 
command consisting of the 3rd Tennessee, Colonel 
Cheatham; a battalion of infantry recruits, regulars 
and volunteers, under Major Morris, of the 4th artil- 
lery ; and the Georgia cavalry battalion, Lieutenant 
Colonel Calhoun. Lieutenant Colonel Miles, of the 
5th infantry, followed General Marshall on the 2nd of 
January, 1S48, with 1,500 men, and having overtaken 
the latter at Jalapa, they proceeded together to the city 
of Mexico. Shortly after the train under Lieutenant 
Colonel Miles left Vera Cruz, Lieutenant Walker, of 
the rifle regiment, in command of the rear-guard of 
thirty men, was attacked by three or four hundred 
guerilleros, who killed and w^ounded ten of his men, 
and captured three hundred pack mules. Neither train 
was otherwise seriously molested on the march to the 
capital. The guerilleros had been terribly cut up, and 
they only appeared in small parties, their principal 
depredations being committed on the merchant trains. 
Upon his arrival at Queretaro, Peiia y Peiia issued 
a proclamation urging Congress to hasten the meeting 
convoked at that place ; as there was danger, on the 
one hand, of losing their nationality, and, on the other, 
of the increase of the anarchy and confusion prevailing 
in every quarter of the republic* The country was, 
indeed, in a most distracted condition. The Puros, or 
anti-sacerdotal party, in Guadalajara, headed by Gomez 
Farias, had a violent struggle with their opponents, in 
which the cathedral was sacked, and a number of per- 
sons were killed, among whom was General Ampudia, 
one of the partisans of Farias. Paredes had an inter- 
view with Jarauta at Tulancingo, in October ; a pro- 

* Proclamation of Seiior Rosa, Secretary of State, dated October 13th, 
1847. 



476 MEETING OF CONGRESS. 

nunciamento was issued, and measures were concerted 
for the establishment of a monarchy. Santa Anna was 
quieted for the time, but his friends and followers were 
still seeking an opportunity to restore him to power. 
After his defeat at Huamantia, refusing to obey the 
order requiring him to surrender his command to Gen- 
eral Rincon, he directed the greater part of his troops 
to join General Alvarez in Oajaca, and the remainder 
to repair to Queretaro, reserving only a small party of 
hussars as a body-guard. At first he endeavored to 
make his way out of the country, through the State of 
Oajaca; but he afterwards returned to his hacienda at 
Tehuacan, from whence he addressed a protest to the 
new government, insisting that he had resigned the 
executive authority temporarily, in order to enable him 
better to act with the army against the enemy, and a 
letter to the members of Congress, expressing similar 
sentiments. He also issued an appeal to the Mexican 
people, on the 16th of October, complaining of the 
usage he had received, and declaring that he had done 
every thing for " the grandeur and glory of Mexico."* 
The Mexican Congress finally assembled at Quere- 
taro in November, and on the 11th instant made choice 
of General Anaya as Provisional President, to serve 
until the 8th of January following, when the regular 
term would expire. The inaugural address of General 
Anaya was not warlike, but was well calculated to 
soften the asperities of his countrymen ; while he de- 
clared that he would never " seal the dishonor" of his 
native land, he pointed them to the fact, which could 

• Santa Anna styled himself in his appeal, " Benemeritode la Patria," 
— (" well deserving of his country.") " I have not spared," said he, at 
the close of his address, " my blood in achieving that purpose. You 
know it, and you will do me justice." 



PACIFIC TONE OF THE GOVERNMENT. 477 

not be disguised, that ihc'r internal dissensions for the 
past twenty-five years, had brought on all the troubles 
and embarrassments under which they now suffered. 
The reply of Congress was also conciliatory, and a vote 
was soon after taken, defeaing a proposition of Senor 
Otero, to deprive the Execulive of the power to alienate 
any portion of the territory of the republic, which indi- 
cated that the war would soon be brought to a close. 
The governors of the several states likewise met at 
Queretaro, and in reply to a circular from the Secre- 
tary of State, indicated their willingness to consent to 
a peace. The leading members of the cabinet, Peila 
y Pena, Secretary of State, and Mora y Villamil, Min- 
ister of War, were open and avowed friends of a ces- 
sation of hostilities ; and the former manifested a great 
deal more firmness in maintaining his opinions, than he 
exhibited as one of General Ilerrera's advisers.* 

The pacific disposition of General Anaya was mani- 
fested still further, by the appointment of Seiiores Cue- 
vas, Conto, and Atristain, as commissioners to treat 
with Mr. Trist. The authority of the latter had been 
revoked, in the meantime, by the President of the 
United States, and instructions had been issued to 
transmit any proposition for peace that might be re- 
ceived, directly to Washington. The Mexican com- 

* There was a cause for this, perhaps, as the lower of the army which 
the federahsts seem all along to have dreadet, more than any thing 
else, was nearly destroyed. The office of Genenl-in-chief, temporarily 
held by General Gutierrez, was bestowed on Geieral Bustamente, for- 
merly a prominent centralist, but by no means frendly to Santa Anna. 
On assuming the command of the army, General Bustamente issued an 
address, in which he avowed his anxious desire to have an opportunity 
of retrieving the honor of his country. Overtures vere held out to him 
to join Paredes, and others, who were disaffected, in overturning the 
government, and renewing the war ; but he remaii.ed faithful to the 
trust confided to his hands. 



478 Negotiations resumed. 

missioners were extremely aniious to enter upon nego- 
tiations at once, and as they were willing to do so, with 
a full knowledge of the revocation of Mr. Trist's au- 
thority, he decided, under the advice of General Scott, 
to act in behalf of his governntient.* The negotiations, 
however, were continued for several weeks, though 
with every prospect of a speedy settlement of the dif- 
ficulties existing between the two countries ; the delay 
being mainly occasioned by the apprehensions of the 
return of Santa Anna from his retirement, still cherished 
by the leading federalists, Herrera, Olaguibel, Anaya, 
and Pena y Pena. General Almonte, long his bosom 
friend and confidant, had been warmly supported for 
the office of Provisional President, in opposition to 
General Anaya, and they were fearful that he might 
regain the ascendency.f But their fears proved to be 
unfounded ; Santa Anna was completely overwhelmed 
by his misfortunes ; and all the efforts of his friends, 
whatever may have been their object, were utterly 
abortive. 

The brilliant victories of General Scott, the masterly 
display of military skill and strategy, exhibited in the 
reduction of San Jmn de Ulua, and in turning the 
fortifications of Cerro Gordo, El Penon, and San An- 

♦ Special Message of President Polk, February 22ncl, 1848. 

•f " I had a long conver/ation with Olaguibel, the governor of Mexico, 
during which I mentioned tiie reinforcements which had gone forward. 
He replied, that it was in act of the Mexican government for which 
he was not responsible, and then added, — ' You ought to know Santa 
Anna, — he is deceiving you: he wants to make a peace, in order that 
he may remain at the lead of power ; but I can assure you there will 
be no peace until his power and that of the array is destroyed.' " — Ex- 
tract of a letter from Uexico, dated October 14th, 1847, and published in 
the " Union." — The movement of troops referred to by the writer of the 
letter, probably had reference to the concentration of the Mexican forces 
at Queretaro, a precautionary measure which was very naturally adopted. 



COLLECTION OP TAXES. 479 

tonio, closed with the possession of the Mexican capi- 
tal. With the reinforcements, the arrival of which has 
been mentioned, the army at Vera Cruz and Mexico, 
and the intermediate points, numbered near 30,000 
men, of whom about 20,000 were effective. The main 
column, under the General-in-chief, was increased to 
not far from 15,000; but, as the Mexican authorities 
manifested a disposition to treat for peace, he deter- 
mined not to continue his offensive operations, although 
his troops were constantly drilled, and every prepara- 
tion made to fit them for taking the field. Towards 
the latter part of October, 1847, Generals Quitman and 
Shields returned to the United States, and General P. 
F. Smith was appointed governor of Mexico. 

On the 25th of November, in pursuance of instruc- 
tions from home requiring him, as soon as practicable, 
to raise the means for defraying the expenses of his 
army, from the territory occupied, General Scott issued 
an order forbidding the exportation of uncoined bull- 
ion from the Mexican ports, until the pleasure of his 
government should be known, and directing that no 
rents should be paid for quarters, after the close of the 
month. On the 13th of December, a further order was 
i.ssued, which directed all internal taxes, of every de- 
scription, in the states occupied by the American troops, 
to be paid over to the officers appointed to receive them, 
for the support of the army of occupation. Measures 
were likewise taken to enforce the collection and pay- 
ment of the taxes, and detachments were ordered to 
the prominent points in the state and federal district 
of Mexico, outside the capital. Colonel Withers, of 
the 9th infantry, with his regiment, a squadron of dra- 
goons, and two pieces of artillery, was ordered to Real 
del Monte ; General Cadwalader was sent to Toluca 



480 DISTURBANCES tN THE CAPITAL. 

v/ith his brigade ; and Colonel Clarke was afterwards 
detached to Cuernavaca, in former limes the favorite 
residence of Cortes,* with his brigade, consisting of the 
1st and 15th infantry, the Georgia cavah'y, and Lieu- 
tenant Lovell's light battery. 

Occasional disturbances took place in the capital, 
instigated chiefly by Mexican officers and soldiers, in 
disgaise, and more especially those who were con- 
nected with the guerilla bands ; but they were promptly 
put down. Inflammatory articles also appeared in the 
Mexican journals that were allowed to be published, 
which were only prevented by the positive orders of 
General Scott to suppress them, unless a different 
course was pursued. f On the 10th of January, 1848, 
he received information that a general rising was in 
contemplation in the city. During the day previous 
to the night on which the insurrection was to take 
place, he directed preparations to be made to prevent 
an outbreak, and the designs of the enemy were thus 
frustrated. J 

♦ Although Cuernavaca is but sixty miles from Mexico, it is sur- 
rounded by fields of coffee and sugar-cane, which yield an abundant 
crop. It is also famous for the .splendid groves of mulberry trees in its 
vicinity. The American artillery occupied the palace of Cortes, now 
nearly gone to decay. "The Conqueror's palace," says Madame da 
Calderon, (Life in Mexico, vol. ii. let. 31,) "is a 'half-ruined barrack, 
though a most picturesque object, standing on a hill, behind which 
starts up the great white volcano.' 

•}• Newspapers were established in all the principal towns occupied 
by the American troops, under their auspices, which exerted a favorable 
tendency in the restoration of peace. It was a novel idea, which could 
certainly never have entered the brain of Johannes Faust, that the 
press and the sword should thus go hand in hand together. 

:}: Father Jarauta and General Salazar, the latter so notorious for his 
cruelty to the Texan prisoners, (See Kendall's Santa Fe Expedition,) 
were prowling round the city about this time, and were supposed, not 
without reason, to have been concerned in the contemplated movement. 



COLONEL HAYS AND JARAUTA. 481 

The guerilleros were not yet entirely quieted, al- 
though the vigilance of Colonel Wilson at Vera Cruz, 
of Colonel Hughes at Jalapa, of Colonel Childs at Pu- 
ebla, and of Colonel Irwin, who was stationed at the 
pass of Rio Frio, with the 5th Ohio volunteers, pre- 
vented their doing much harm. Near the close of 
December, 1847, the Mexican spies, under Dominguez, 
had a brush with a party of cavalry escorting Generals 
Minon and Torrejon, between Ojo de Agua and Napo- 
luca ; the lancers were dispersed, and the two generals 
taken prisoners, and delivered to Colonel Childs. On 
the 1st of January, 1848, Colonel Wynkoop, then in 
pursuit of General Rea and Padre Jarauta, with a de- 
tachment, captured Generals Valencia and Arista. 
Colonel Hays and his rangers, and the Mexican spy 
companies, were also constantly on the alert in order 
to surprise Jarauta ; and early in January, the former 
came unexpectedly on his band, near San Juan, in the 
valley of Mexico. The guerilleros were routed in an 
instant. Jarauta himself fell wounded, but was borne 
off by his men, leaving his horse, lance and cloak, in 
the hands of the rangers. 

Early in the morning of the 18th of January, Gen- 
eral Lane left the capital^iis men being entirely igno- 
rant of their destination — with two companies of the 
3rd dragoons and one of mounted rifles, under Major 
Polk, of the 3rd dragoons, and four companies of Texan 
rangers, under Colonel Hays, in all 350 strong. The 
object of the expedition was the capture of Santa Anna, 
then understood to be at Tehuacan, rather for the pur- 
Imitating the example of his superiors, Jarauta shortly after issued a 
proclamation to the Mexican people, calling upon them to awake from 
their lethargy, and to rally around his standard. It does not appear 
that his exhortations met with a very hearty or unanimous response. 

21 



482 EXPEDITION TO TEHUACAN. 

pose of relieving the apprehensions of the Mexican au- 
thorities, than of triumphing over a fallen enemy. It 
was also designed to scour the country in the neigh- 
borhood of Orizaba, in search of property taken from 
the American trains. Proceeding rapidly along the 
National road, through Puebla and Amasoque, General 
Lane turned to the left at the latter place, and, passing 
through rough and unfrequented paths, known only to 
him and his guide, arrived at a hacienda near Santa 
Clara, at five o'clock in the morning of the 21st instant, 
having marched a distance of forty miles, from Puebla, 
during the previous night. All the Mexicans found on 
the road, and about the hacienda, were secured, in 
order to prevent the alarm being communicated, and 
at sunset the troops were again in the saddle. Tehua- 
can was still near forty miles distant, and they pressed 
forward with all speed. 

But the precautions of General Lane were rendered 
useless. Shortly after leaving the hacienda, the party 
came upon a Mexican gentleman travelling in his 
coach with a number of servants, under a passport 
from General Smith, as governor of Mexico. He was 
allowed to continue his journey unmolested, but through 
his instrumentality, a message being probably conveyed 
through some secret though more direct path, Santa 
Anna was apprised of his danger ; and when the Ame- 
ricans entered the town with their jaded horses, at 
daylight on the 22nd, they found that he had made his 
escape.* The main object of the expedition was thus 

• In a letter to the Minister of War, dated at Cascatlan, February 1st, 
184B, Santa Anna says that he was informed of the approach of Gen- 
eral Lane, nearly two hours before the latter reached Tehuacan; and 
while he was engaged in preparing a note, requesting that a passport 
might be sent to him, to enable him to leave the country. He also 



STATE OF Tni\"CS IN CALIFORNIA. 483 

defeated, without fault or neglect on the part of any 
concerned. General Lane accordingly took possession 
of the military property of Santa Anna, in the absence 
of its owner, and on the 23rd instant directed his course 
towards the beautiful valley and town of Orizaba, which 
is situated in the centre of a romantic and fertile dis- 
trict, chiefly inhabited, however, by bandits, in time of 
peace, and guerilleros in time of war. On the 24th, 
General Lane entered Orizaba, the ayuntamiento of 
which surrendered the town without resistance. White 
flags were displayed from every house, as the Ameri- 
cans marched through the streets. Several days were 
spent here in recovering plundered property, and the 
command then set out on their return, arriving at the 
capital on the 10th of February. 

It is now time to refer once more to the position of 
affairs in California and New Mexico. — After the arri- 
val of the regiment of volunteers under Colonel Ste- 
venson,* it was distributed through Upper and Lower 
California ; Colonel Stevenson was stationed at Ciu- 
dad de los Angelos, with four companies ; Major 
Hardy, with two companies, at San Francisco ; and 
the other companies were stationed in the valley of 
the San Joaquim, and at Suters' Fort, on the Rio Sac- 
ramento, with the exception of two companies sent by 
sea, under Lieutenant Colonel Burton, to La Paz. 



states, that he took refuge in the town of Teotitlan del Camiro, where 
there was a force from the state ofOajaca. No further attempt was 
made to capture him, and he was subaequcntly permitted to leave Mex- 
ico, — embarking at Antigua, just north of Vera Cruz, on the 4th of 
April, in a Spanish brig, for Kingston, on the island of Jamaica. 

* This regiment is sometimes termed the " 1st New York Volunteers," 
and that with the main column of the army, under Colonel Burnett, 
the "2nd New York Volunteers,"— both regiments having been raised 
in the State of New York. 



484 CAPTURE OK GUAYAMAS AND MAZATLAN. 

The watchfulness of Colonel Mason prevented any 
further attempts to disturb the tranquillity of Upper 
California, and in September, 1847, Commodore Shu- 
brick set sail with the greater part of his squadron, for 
the purpose of capturing, and occupying as far as was 
practicable, the forts on both sides of the Gulf, not 
already in possession of the American forces. 

On the 20th of October, Guayamas surrendered to 
Captain Lavallette, who had with him the frigate 
Congress and sloop of war Portsmouth, after a severe 
fire, which was continued for nearly an hour, doing 
considerable damage to the town, and killing and 
wounding a number of Mexicans. A collector was 
appointed for the port, but the place was not perma- 
nently occupied. The Portsmouth, Commander Mont- 
gomery, was left to blockade the port ; and the Con- 
gress joined Commodore Shubrick, who proceeded to 
Mazatlan, with the Congress, the razee Independence, 
the sloop of war Cyane, Commander Du Pont, and the 
transport Erie, Lieutenant Watson. On his way to 
Mazatlan/ Commodore Shubrick left Lieutenant lley- 
wood at San Jose, in Lower California, with thirty 
men and three other officers, together with two nine- 
pounder guns, to occupy the place. 

On the morning of the 10th of November, the Amer- 
ican squadron hove in sight of Mazatlan. The town 
was instantly in commotion, and the greater part of 
the inhabitants fled into the interior. A large body of 
the National Guard was stationed at this point, with 
several pieces of artillery, under Colonel Tellez ; but 
they also withdrew, without offering any opposition ; 
and on the 11th instant Commodore Shubrick landed 
with a party of sailors and marines, and took posses- 
sion of the town. The Mexican troops encamped in 



LA PAZ ANU SAN JOStl. 485 

the vicinity, and several encounters took place, with 
small loss on either side. The American garrison was 
continued on shore, and the collection of duties en- 
forced till the close of the war. 

The Portsmouth remained but a short time before 
Guayamas, which continued for several weeks to be 
nearly deserted by its inhabitants ; and the sloop of 
war Dale, Commander Selfridge, was subsequently 
ordered thither. On the 17th of November, fifty sail- 
ors, under Lieutenant Smith and Passed Midshipman 
Duncan, and seventeen marines, under Lieutenant 
Tansill, — Commander Selfridge heading the party, — 
landed for the purpose of examining the town and fort. 
They had proceeded but a short distance from the 
shore, when they were suddenly attacked by about 
400 Mexicans, secreted behind the garden walls and in 
the houses. A brisk fire was kept up by both parties, 
until Lieutenant Yard, who had been left in charge of 
the ship, commenced throwing Paixhan shells into the 
town. This had the desired effect, and the enemy 
again abandoned the place to the Americans. Shortly 
after this affair, an expedition of the officers and rnen 
of the Dale, was organized for a march into the inte- 
rior. They surprised a body of Mexican troops, about 
three miles from Guayamas, under General Campu- 
nazo, and took most of his officers and men prisoners. 

After the capture of Mazatlan, the Cyane was or- 
dered to La Paz, and the Portsmouth to San Jose, 
both of which posts were threatened by guerilla bands, 
under their chiefs, Pinada and Mijares. The latter 
appeared before the works at San Jose, which merely 
consisted of two adobe houses, with 150 men and two 
pieces of cannon. At the commencement of the 
attack, the guerilla leader was killed, and his men 



486 THE GUERILLEKOS ROUTED, 

retired from before the post on the arrival of the 
Portsmouth. Ten more men were added to the com- 
mand of Lieutenant Hey wood ; the houses occupied 
by his force were connected by a high wall, the doors 
bastioned, and the windows filled in. Piiiada was 
known to be within twenty miles of San Jose, with 
from four to five hundred men, but, as every thing 
appeared quiet, the Portsmouth again set sail for 
another part of the coast. Lieutenant Colonel Burtoa 
was besieged for three weeks by the force under Pi- 
nada, when he organized a storming party, under Cap- 
tain Steele, who drove the enemy from their works, 
and captured their flag. 

The guerilleros, under Pinada, having been driven 
from La Paz, once more appeared before San Jose, 
after the departure of the Portsmouth, and closely 
invested the place. From the 24th of January, 1848, 
to the 14th of February, the efforts of the enemy 
to capture the post, were unintermitting, and a severe 
fire was constantly kept up. The provisions of the 
garrison were getting very low, though their courage 
and determination .rose higher as their diiFiculties 
increased ; they were strictly confined to the cuartel; 
Passed Midshipman Duncan and six men were taken 
prisoners, and on the 11th of February Passed Mid- 
shipman McLanahan was killed. The water was also 
cut off', and disease was fast generating. Fortunately, 
to the great joy of the garrison, Commander Du Pont 
arrived from La Paz, at sunset on the 14th of Feb- 
ruary. At daylight on the 15th, he landed with 100 
men ; Lieutenant Hey wood sallied out with his party ; 
and after a short, but well-contested conflict, they 
effectually routed the enemj', killing and wounding 



AFFAIRS IN NEW MEXICO. 487 

over fifty of their number, and making a great many 
prisoners. 

Commodore Shubrick was now relieved in com- 
mand of the Pacific Squadron, by Commodore T. 
Ap Catesby Jones, who arrived in the Ohio, seventy- 
four. All the principal ports on the coast being 
at this time, either occupied, or rigorously blockaded, 
no other event of importance transpired, until the 
cessation of hostilities. 

In the month of August, 1847, General Price, with 
a portion of his troops, whose terms of service had 
expired, returned to Missouri, leaving Major Walker 
in command at Santa Fe. Colonel Newby, of the 6th 
Illinois, had previously been ordered to New Mexico 
with his regiment, and was then on the road. He 
was soon followed by a battalion of Missouri infantry, 
under Lieutenant Colonel Easton, and the 4th Mis- 
souri cavalry, under Colonel Ralls. Another battalion 
of Missouri volunteers, consisting of cavalry, infantry 
and artillery, under Lieutenant Colonel Gilpin, was 
ordered to keep the road open between Fort Leav- 
enworth and Santa Fe — the Indians still continuing 
their attacks on the American trains.* 

General Price returned to Santa Fe in the fall, and 
directed the troops under his command, about 3,000 in 
number, to be distributed throughout the valley of the 
Rio Grande, from Taos to El Paso. Governor Armijof 
made no attempt to recover the authority that had 

* Still another battalion of Missouri cavalry, under Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Powell, was mustered into service, and ordered upon the route to 
Oregon, to construct a chain of military posts to that territory. 

f Governor Armijo was not in very good odor with some of his coun- 
trymen, and, in the month of August, he was arrested at Chihuahua, 
by order of Governor Trias, for indulging too freely in his comments 
upon the battle of Sacramento. 



488 SANTA CRUZ DE R0SALE3. 

been wrested from him, and no event of particular 
moment occurred, until early in February, 1848, when 
intelligence was received, from various sources, that 
General Urrea, at the head of a large body of lancers, 
was moving upon El Paso, where Colonel Ralls was in 
command, with a part of his regiment. These reports 
were confirmed by the capture of a small party of 
Mexicans, near Carrizal, below El Paso ; letters an- 
nouncing the intended march of Urrea being found on 
their commanding officer. An express was immedi- 
ately dispatched to General Price, with the infor- 
mation obtained, who left Santa Fe at once, with two 
companies of the 1st dragoons, under Major Beall ; 
one company of the same regiment, acting as artillery, 
under Lieutenant Love ; Lieutenant Colonel Easton's 
battalion ; and the Santa Fe battalion, under Major 
Walker. On the 20th of February the command 
reached El Paso. It was now ascertained that the 
reported advance of Urrea was unfounded ; but Gen- 
eral Price also learned, that Govei-*or Trias had col- 
lected between 1,500 and 2,000 men, and fourteen 
pieces of artillery ,»«fcSanta Cruz de Resales, a strongly 
fortified town, abaat' sixty miles beyond Chihuahua, 
and determined to Vnarch down and attack him. 

General Price left El Paso on the 1st of March with 
400 men, and arrived at Chihuahua on the 7th, per- 
forming the distance of two hundred and eighty-one 
miles in seven days. After Colonel Doniphan's de- 
parture, Chihuahua had been reoccupied by the Mex- 
ican authorities, and General Price was met, on his 
approach, by a civic deputation, who represented that 
a treaty of peace had been concluded, and requested 
him not to enter the city. Doubting the information, 
as he had received no official intelligence of the fact, 



GENERAL PRICE ATTACKS THE CITY. 489 

General Price entered the town, and on the ensuinc: 
.day continued his march to Santa Cruz de Resales, 
where he arrived in the evening. On the morning of 
the 9th he summoned Governor Trias to surrender. 
The latter refused to comply, stating, also, that it was 
understood there, that the war had been terminated by 
a treaty. Considerable parleying ensued, and General 
Price finally consented to wait for four days, during 
which time a messenger was expected to return, who 
had been sent by the governor, to ascertain whether 
the rumor in regard to a treaty was well founded. 

After waiting twice the specified time, and having 
been joined by a reinforcement of 300 men, whom he 
had directed to follow him, with the artillery, General 
Price determined to attack the position, on the morn- 
ing of the 16th of IMarch. Another demand for a sur- 
render was made, which was rejected, and the action 
then commenced by a lively cannonade. A good 
impression having been produced, General Price di- 
vided his command into three parties, under Colonel 
Ralls, Lieutenant Colonel Lane, and Major Walker, 
■who were directed to attack the w^arks from three dif- 
ferent positions. The contest was maintained with 
vigor until eleven o'clock, when it was suspended in 
consequence of a rumor, which proved to be false, 
that a body of lancers were moving up in the rear. 
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the attack was 
renewed with increased zeal, and continued until sun- 
set, when the Americans had burrowed through the 
houses to the Plaza; and the Mexicans then surren- 
dered at discretion. 

The enemy lost 300 killed and wounded at the 
storming of Santa Cruz de Rosales, while the Ameri- 
can loss was but five killed and twenty wounded. 

21* 



490 CAPTURE OF GOVERNOR TRIAS. 

Governor Trias and forty of his officers, with a num 
ber of men, were taken prisoners ; and 14 pieces of 
artillery, and 2,000 stands of small arms, were also 
captm-ed by the Americans. On the 18th of March, 
General Price returned to Chihuahua, taking with him 
Governor Trias, and most of the prisoners ; and leav- 
ing Colonel Ralls to follow him as soon as practicable. 
The report in relation to the treaty was afterwards 
ascertained to be correct ; and Governor Trias, and 
his officers and men, were set at liberty, and the cap- 
tured property restored. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

TREATY OF PEACE. 

Firmness of the Mexican Administration — Treaty of Peace Concluded 
— Skirmishes — Expedition of General Lane — Ratification of the 
Treaty — Evacuation of Mexico by the American Troops — Reflections 
— The Territory Acquired — Capacity of our Country for War — Con- 
clusion. 

It was difficult for the Mexican nation to make the 
humiUating acknovvledgment, even to themselves, — 
their Castilian pride revolted at the thought, — that 
they were compelled to sue for peace ; that the eagle 
of Anahuac, breathing a softer, but more enervating 
atmosphere, was no match for the prouder and hardier 
bird of the North. But there was no alternative; the 
Congress, which had taken a recess shortly after the 
election of General Anaj^a as Provisional President, 
reassembled in January, 1848 ; and a report was then 
made, in regard to the condition of the army, and the 
number of troops necessary for the vigorous prosecu- 
tion of hostilities. It was found that 65,000 men would 
be required to carry on the war with any prospect of 
success. To raise this force was impossible, and, were 
it otherwise, the republic was without the means to pay 
them. Her forts and arsenals were in possession of 
the enemy ; her military stores and supplies were nearly 
exhausted ; her resources were rapidly diminishing ; and 
the American commander, backed by his victorious sol- 
diers, was already levying heavy contributions upon 



492 TREATY OF PE/i.,E CONCLUDED. 

the country.* Her navy — she had none ; and her pri- 
vateer commissions, and certificates of citizenship, were 
bandied about in the market, without purchasers or 
bidders. f 

General Anaya's term of office expiring on the 8th 
of January, he was succeeded by Pena y Peila, as 
President of the Supreme Court of Justice. There 
was no change, however, in the determination of those 
at the head of the government, to conclude a peace. 
Attempts to incite a revolt were made during the win- 
ter, in the states of San Luis, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, 
Jalisco, and Oajaca, by the Puros and the followers of 
Santa Anna and Paredes ; and, in' January, a pronun- 
ciamento was issued, at San Luis Potosi, in favor of 
continuing the war, and against the course pursued by 
the administration. But the Mexican Executive was 
firm and decided, and his vigilant measures prevented 
an outbreak. The negotiations were continued, and 
on the 2nd of February, 1848, a Treaty of Peace was 
signed, by the Mexican Commissioners and Mr. Trist, 
at the city of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. 

* General Scott orJered a yearly contribution to be paid by the Mex- 
ican States, (New Mexico, California and Yucatan excepted,) amount- 
ing in the aggregate, for the year 1848, to $2,745,000, which was nearly 
quadruple the former annual assessments of the federal government of 
Mexico. 

f Fears were entertained in our principal commercial cities, prior to 
the commencement of the war, that serious injury would be inflicted on 
American commerce, in the event of the occurrence of hostilities, by 
Mexican privateers. " With Mexico," said Mr. Theodore Sedgwick, in 
his " Thoughts on the Proposed Annexation of Texas," (p. 2'3, second 
edition. New York, 1844,)—" with Mexico no glory can be earned, and 
she has scarcely a dollar afloat, — while the privateers, the legalized 
pirates of all mankind, would sweep our commerce from the seas." 
These apprehensions proved to be unfounded, or rather, they failed to 
be realized. 



ITS PROVISIONS. 493 

The provisions of the treaty were very similar to 
those contained in the projet rejected by the Mexican 
Commissioners, in obedience to the instructions of Santa 
Anna, in August, 1847. It was provided that the 
boundary line between the two republics should com- 
mence in the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, 
opposite the mouth of the Rio Grande, or the deepest 
channel of the river, if there should be more than one 
emptying directly into the sea, — running thence up the 
middle of the river, to the southern boundary of New 
Mexico — thence along such boundary, to its western 
termination — thence northerly, along the western boun- 
dary of New Mexico, to the first branch, or to the point 
nearest the first branch, of the river Gila — thence down 
the Rio Gila to the Rio Colorado — thence, crossing the 
latter river, and following the division line between 
Upper and Lower California, to the Pacific ocean, at 
a point one marine league due south of the southern- 
most point of the port of San Diego.* It was also pro- 
vided, that the vessels and citizens of the United States 
should have the right freely to navigate the Gulf of 
California, and the Rio Colorado, to and from the ter- 
ritories of said United States ;t that the river Gila, and 
the Rj.0 Grande below the southern boundary of New 
Mexico, should be common to the citizens and vessels 
of both republics ; J and that all places, and forts, with 
their armaments,§ (the city of Mexico, within the inner 

* The guide, fixed by the treaty, for ascertaining the boundaries of 
New Mexico, is the Map of the United Mexican States, (revised edi- 
tion, New York, 1847,) pubhshed by J. Disturnell; and for determining 
the southernmost point of the port of San Diego, the plan of the port 
made in 1782, by Don Juan Pantojer, and pubhshed in 1802, at Madrid, 
in the Atlas to the Voyages of the Schooners Sutil and Mexicana. — 
Treaty of Peace, Article V, 

t Treaty of Peace, Article VI. 4: Ibid., Article.VII. 

^ This provision of the treaty occasioned some little difficulty between 



494 OPPOSED BY PAREDES. 

line of intrenchrnents, being included in this provision,) 
occupied by the American troops, and not embraced 
within the limits of the ceded territory, should be re- 
stored.* 

It was further agreed, by the treaty, in consideration 
of the cession of territory before mentioned, that the 
inhabitants of such territory, choosing to remain after 
the transfer, should be forever protected in the full en- 
joyment of their liberty, religion and property, and, as 
soon as practicable, be admitted to the rights and pri- 
vileges of citizens of the United States ;f and that the 
United States should pay to Mexico, the sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, and assume the claims due her citi- 
zens, to an amount not exceeding three and one-fourth 
millions of dollars — Mexico being entirely released and 
discharged from the payment of such claims. J 

The Mexican Congress was not in session at the 
time the treaty v/as signed, but a number of the mem- 
bers were then at Queretaro, and were consulted in 
regard to its provisions, — a large majority of them sig- 
nifying their approbation. " El Progreso," the organ 
of the revolutionists at Queretaro, violently opposed 
the treaty ; declaring, among other things, that the sum 
of fifty millions of dollars ought to have been exacted 
from the United States. Paredes and his adherents 
likewise attempted another revolution in San Luis; 

General Butler, and the Commisaicncrs appointed by the Mexican gov- 
ernment to witness the restoration of the forts and armaments. The 
latter insisted that the lieavy guns captured at Contreras and Churu- 
busco should be restored. General Sutler referred the matter to the 
Acting Inspectoi General, and, upon his report, refused peremptorily to 
surrender them. The Mexicans finally yielded the point, rather than 
that the war should be renewed, 

♦ Treaty of Peace, Article IV. t Ibid., Article IX. 

i Ibid., Articles XII.— XV. 



GUERILLA DEPREDATIONS. 495 

but General Bustamente immediately moved with a 
division from Guanajuato, where he had been stationed 
to keep down the disaffection in that quarter, and ar- 
rived at San Luis Potosi on the 27th of March. The 
revolutionists made attempts to tamper with his fidel- 
ity, but finding him firm in his adherence to the admin- 
istration, they abandoned their projects, for the pres- 
sent. 

In the meantime, the American army had made no 
new movement of importance ; except, that in the 
month of February, Orizaba was occupied by Colonel 
Bankhead, of the 2nd artilleiy, with 1,200 men, con- 
sisting of the 13th infantry, the Alabama battalion, and 
a detachment of cavalry. Several skirmishes, how- 
ever, took place with the guerilleros, who persisted in 
committing their depredations on the line of the Na- 
tional road. 

On the 1st of February, 1848, Captain Lamb, with 
his company of the 5th Illinois, encountered a Mexican 
reconnoitering party near Tampico ; but at the first 
discharge, the enemy fled, leaving a number of horses, 
and their commanding officer and one of his men, in 
the hands of the Americans. On the 4th instant, Lieu- 
tenant Lilly, of the Louisiana cavalry, attacked twice 
his force, in the neighborhood of Puebla, and soon 
routed them ; killing fifteen of the party, and captur- 
ing the remainder, with their arms, horses, and accou- 
trements. Lieutenant Colonel Biscoe, of the Louisiana 
rangers, left Vera Cruz, on the 19th of February, for 
Orizaba, with a detachment of Georgia and Louisiana 
cavalry. About four o'clock in the afternoon, between 
forty and fifty guerilleros were discovered in the road, 
near a place called Matacordera. Captain Wafford, in 
the advance, with twenty-five of the Georgia men, 



496 EXPEDITION UNDER GENERAL LANE. 

rushed upon them, when they fell back to *a hedge of 
chaparral, which, in an instant, swarmed with the 
enemy, estimated to have been from three to four hun- 
dred strong. Captain Watford charged through their 
line, and then cut his way back. Still, his men were 
rapidly falling, and must have been completely cut off, 
had not Lieutenant Colonel Biscoe arrived in time to 
rescue the party. After he came up with the remain- 
der of his force, the guerilleros were easily driven from 
the road. In this affair, Lieutenant Henderson, of the 
Louisiana cavalry, was killed, with four men of the 
command, and there were twenty wounded. 

General Lane, — not inappropriately styled, by his 
brother officers and soldiers, " the Marion of the army," 
— set out from the city of Mexico, on the 17th of Febru- 
ary, on another secret expedition, with the same com- 
mand that accompanied him to Tehuacan and Orizaba, 
in January. Advancing, with the utmost speed, over 
rough and difficult roads, and along miserable trails, 
and making frequent rapid night marches, he arrived 
at Tulancingo, the residence of Paredes, early in the 
morning of the 21st instant. Paredes was fortunate 
enough to make his escape a few moments before his 
house was surrounded. Having rested his men at Tu- 
lancingo during the day, General Lane resumed his 
march on the 22nd, and reached Tehualtaplan, where, 
as he learned, there were about 1,000 Mexican lancers 
and guerilleros, under Colonel Montano and Padre Ja- 
rauta, at sunrise on the 23rd. 

As the Americans entered the town the escopeta 
balls came whistling about their heads from nearly 
every house. Headed by General Lane, Colonel Hays 
and Major Polk, the rangers and dragoons dashed 
upon the enemy, fighting their way, hand-to-hand, into 



PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES. 497 

the houses, and cutting down every man who refused 
to surrender. A portion of the Mexicans rallied and 
formed outside the town, but a vigorous charge, led by 
General Lane and Colonel Hays, quickly put thein to 
rout. Jarauta, who was wounded in the conflict, again 
escaped ; one hundred of the enemy were killed, how- 
ever, among whom were Colonel Montano, and the 
bosom friend of Jarauta, Padre Martinez; a still greater 
number were wounded ; and there were fifty taken 
prisoners. General Lane lost one man killed and four 
wounded. Quiet was soon restored in the town, after 
the fighting had ceased, and the Americans returned to 
the capifal, taking with them their prisoners, and a 
quantity of recovered property that had been plundered 
from different trains. 

General Scott was relieved from duty in Mexico, at 
his own request, on the 19th of February, when the 
command was assumed b}' General Butler. On the 
5th of March, a military convention, for the provis- 
ional suspension of hostilities, was ratified in the capi- 
tal, under which the civil authority in most of the 
towns occupied by the American troops was shortly 
after surrendered to the officers regularly chosen by 
the citizens. The guerilleros were now tolerably quiet, 
though they occasionally attacked the merchant trains. 
On the 30th of March a train of Mexican merchandise 
was plundered by a band of marauders, at Paso del 
Bobo. Colonel Hughes being informed of the transac- 
tion, a party of Texan rangers were ordered out from 
Jalapa, under Captain Daggett, who followed the trail 
of the guerilleros, and overtook them as they entered 
the village of Desplobade. But one of the bandits 
escaped ; the remainder, thirteen in number, were cap- 
tured and shot. This blow was effectual. Towards 



498 EVACUATION OF THE COUNTRY. 

the latter part of March a large merchant train left 
Vera Cruz for the city of Mexico, escorted by a mixed 
command under Lieutenant Colonel Loomis, of the 6th 
infantry ; but they were not molested by the gueril- 
leros.* 

The treaty concluded at Guadaloupe Hidalgo was 
received at Washington, while the American Congress 
was in session, and in the midst of a discussion on va- 
rious propositions for a still greater increase of the 
army. Although the powers of Mr. Trist had been 
revoked, and he had been recalled, prior to the conclu- 
sion of the ti-eaty. President Polk very properly decided 
to regard his disobedience of orders as a matter resting 
solely between himself and his government, and there- 
fore communicated the document to the Senate. That 
body approved the treaty, after making some amend- 
ments affecting but slightly the provisions before re- 
ferred to, on the 10th of March ; and on the 30th of 
May following, the necessary ratifications were ex- 
changed, at Queretaro, by Ambrose H. Sevier, and 
Nathan Clifford, the Commissioners appointed for that 
purpose by the American government, and Seiior Rosa, 
Minister of Internal and Foreign Relations of Mexico, 
— the Mexican Congress having previously ratified the 
treaty, as amended. 

The American troops immediately commenced the 
evacuation of the Mexican territory. The division of 
General Worth was the last to leave the capital. On 
the morning of the 12th of June, it took up the line of 
march for Vera Cruz. The American flag, after being 

♦ Captain Shover accompanied this train with his battery. On 
leaving Vera Cruz, he attached a viameter to one of his gun-carriages, 
by which it appeared that the distance to Mexico was only 252^ miles, — 
about forty miles less than it has generally been considered. 



EFFECT OF THE WAE ON MEXICO. 499 

saluted by the Mexican artillery, in command of Gen- 
eral La Vega, was lowered from the National Palace, 
and the Mexican standard once more ascended in its 
former place. The latter was saluted, in turn, by the 
battery of Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, which had been 
the first to open its thunders on the battle-field of Palo 
Alto. 

The v/ar with Mexico is now ended. Its results, be 
they for good or for evil, are in progress of accomplish- 
ment. To our sister republic, if she regard it aright, 
this contest may prove a useful lesson. Whether the 
principle affirmed by the American government, in the 
annexation of Texas, which, as we have seen, was the 
original moving cause of the war, though not neces- 
sarily so, — that a revolted province, by maintaining a 
successful rebellion against the authority of the mother 
country for a period of eight years, acquires the right 
to be regarded, for all purposes, as an independent na- 
tion ; whether this be correct, or incorrect — and the 
time certainly appears reasonable — it cannot be forgot- 
ten, that Mexico herself invited hostilities, by a refusal 
to negotiate. The direct consequence of this refusal 
was the advance of the American troops to the Rio 
Grande, — the immediate cause of the war, it is true, 
but the only mode by which the United States could 
have asserted her title, when all intercourse with 
Mexico was suspended, to the territory admitted to be 
in dispute. — This war, then, will caution Mexico against 
assuming, on any other occasion, a false attitude at the 
very commencement of an international difficulty. It 
will teach her, too, the importance of cultivating har- 
mony at home, and of manifesting and preserving, at 
all times, good faith in her dealings with other nations. 



500 THE TERRITORY ACQUIRED. 

Clouds and darkness still hover over her lovely valleys 
and her snow-capped mountains ;* yet, blessed, as, we 
may hope, she will one day be, with a firm, stable, and, 
prudent government, it will be easy for her to redeem 
the past, and to accomplish a high destiny for the 
future. 

But what have the United States gained by the war? 
— Its necessary consequence, although not its object, 
has been, the addition to our territory of a tract of 
country exceeding 500,000 square miles in extent.f 
The importance of the Bay of San Francisco, and the 
other harbors on the Pacific ocean, embraced within 
the limits of the territory acquired, has been heretofore 
noticed. J Divers opinions are entertained with regard 
to the value of the acquisition in other respects, and it 
will, perhaps, be impossible to reconcile them, until its 
resources, and productive capacity, are fully developed, 
under the more favorable auspices which always ac- 
company American industry and enterprise. 

Recent travellers givi no very flattering description 

• The result of the canvass of the vote for Presulent, so oflen post- 
poned, was officially declared soon after the ratification of the treaty. 
It appeared, as had all along been supposed, that General Herrera haJ 
been duly elected. He, at first, declined to serve ; but, as Congress re- 
fused to accept his resignation, he entered upon the duties of the office. 
Paredes at once renewed his efforts to excite a revolt. He collected a 
large force at Guanajuato, in June, 1818, seized the mint, and carefully 
fortified his position. On the 18th of July, he was attacked by tha 
government troops, under Generals Bustamente, Lombardini, Cortizar, 
Miiion, and Ortega. His troops were routed with great loss ; most of 
his fortifications were carried, and he was forced to fly, and secrete 
himself for safety. Jarauta, the padre and guerillero, was with Paredes, 
and was captured in the engagement, and instantly shot. 

t The area of Upper California is 418,691 square miles, and that of 
New Mexico, 77,387. 

i Ante, pp. 123, 124. 



ITS RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS. 501 

of large portions of New Mexico and California;* but, 
it must be remembered, that mere tourists for pleasure- 
Bre far from being reliable authorities. The dry sandy 
plains of New Mexico will never be redeemed, in all 
probability, from the curse of barrenness ; through all 
time they must continue to appear as they now do — 
"blasted with antiquity." Yet the territory is not en- 
tirely a desert, nor is the Santa Fe trade, which has 
been of so much profit to some of our western cities, 
in past years, a mere fiction. f Copper ore abounds in 
the mountains ; coal exists, in large quantities, in the 
Raton range, and at Cerillas'and Taos; and there are 
said to be valuable gold mines south of Santa Fe.J 
The valley of the Rio Grande, from Santa Fe to the 
southern boundary of New Mexico, throughout its 
greater extent, is thickly dotted with farm-houses, and 
lined with fertile fields, with orchards and vineyards ; 
and to the north of Santa Fe, there are extensive pas- 
ture lands capable of grazing an immense number of 
cattle. 

Comparatively little information has been so far ob- 
tained in regard to the great interior basin of Califor- 
nia, lying east of the Sierra Nevada. Between the 
Sierra and the Pacific, there is a strip of land, from one 
hundred to one hundred and fifty miles wide, which is 
nearly all productive. Wheat is grown in abundance 
in the territory ; wine is produced in the valley of the 
San Gabriel, and there are vineyards, also, in other 
parts of the country ; the hills and plains are covered 

• Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains, by G. F. Ruxton; 
Scenes in the Rocky Mountains, etc., by a New Englander. 

t Cfregg's Commerce on the Prairies. 

X Letter of Sefior Manuel Alvarez, late American Consul at Santa F6, 
to Hon. J. Houghton. 



502 THE CAPACITY OF OUR COUNTRY FOB WAR. 

with sheep and cattle ; and large quantities of hides 
are annually prepared for exportation.* Oranges, 
h'mes, figs, olives, grapes, apples, and peaches, grow 
thriftily, and yield abundantly. The gardens attached 
to the old Roman mission establishments, at Yerba 
Buena, San Luis Rey, and San Diego, are fairly 
choked up, with the fruit-trees and shrubbery, that have 
been suffered to grow, for many years, unchecked and 
unpruned. The climate of the territory is mild and 
equable ; the winters are rainy ; and, though the sum- 
mers are dry, there are heavy dews to cool the air and 
moisten the ground. f 

The pecuniary considerations growing out of, or con- 
nected with the war, lose much of their importance, 
however, when we consider its other results. The 
ability of the country to vindicate her honor and 
maintain her rights — her great capacity for war, either 
offensive or defensive, — has been signally demonstrated. 
The tendency of this will be, to increase, in an eminent 
degree, the respect and deference paid to our govern- 
ment by other nations. Called upon, at brief notice, to 
raise and equip a large army, — this was accomplished ; 
and, under such circumstances, we entered into a con- 
test with a people not unpractised in '* war's vast art," 
or unacquainted with the improvements of modern 

• Folsom's Mexico in 1842. 

■f Persons living upon or near the Atlantic are very apt, in instituting 
a comparison between their own climate and productions, and those of 
the same latitude on the Pacific coast, to overlook the fact, that isother- 
mal lines, or lines of equal temperature, traverse the surface of the earth 
with e n eccentricity varying very materially from the parallels of latitude. 
In the valley of the Willamete, which Hes above the 45th degree of north 
latitude, the snow never falls to a greater depth than three or four 
inches ; green peas are eaten at Christmas ; the grass grows all winter, 
and cattle are rarely housed. — Father De Smets' Oregon Missions and 
Travels over the Rocky Mountains. 



EFFICIENCY OP A CITIZEN SOLDIERY. 503 

science ; attacking them, with inferior numbers, in the 
open field, or assailing them when posted behind fortifi- 
cations constructed with superior skill, yet ever achiev- 
ing the same result — a brilliant and glorious victory. 

We have shown that, in an emergency, every citi- 
zen may become a soldier ; — that, at all times, a power- 
ful opponent, in a defensive war, we would be abso- 
lutely invincible ; — that the military school at West 
Point has diffused a large amount of valuable informa- 
iion through the land ;* and that, while we have offi- 
cers, whose clear and matchless combinations, and 
sound and accurate judgments, entitle them to take 
rank with the Marlboroughs, the Ruperts, and the Fred- 
ericks of the past, and the noblest captains of the pres- 
ent age, — we have, also, a citizen soldiery, prompt to 
obey their country's call, and ready to brave the dan- 
gers of war, and the vicissitudes of an unfriendly cli- 
mate — disregarding, alike, the bolts of their antago- 
nists, and the invisible shafts of man's great enemy.f 

♦ A large number of the officers belonging to the ten new regiments 
added to the regular army by the act of 1847, were educated at West 
Point ; and there were nine colonels, nine lieutenant colonels, eight 
majors, and eight captains, of the volunteer regiments, who were grad- 
uates of that institution. — Statement G, accompanying the report of 
Captain Brewerton, of the corps of engineers, superintendent of the 
Military Academy, to the board of visitors, June, 1847. 

t The aggregate loss of the Americans, during the war, in killed and 
wounded, was about 5,500; of whom probably two thousand were 
killed on the field of battle, or subsequently died of their wounds. But the 
ravages of disease were far more appalling. Even in the city of Mexico, 
there were nearly 1,000 deaths in the army, in a single month, — the cli- 
mate of the table land being as fatal to the constitutions of the soldiers 
enlisted in the southern states of the Union, as was tlie noxious atmos- 
phere of the tierra caUe7Ue, to those from the northern states. The 1st 
and 2nd Pennsylvania regiments, which left home 1 800 strong, lost 
400 men by disease alone, and a large number were discharged as being 
unfit for duty, many of whom are supposed to have died. More than 



504 EVIL3 OF WAR. 

But the unexampled success that has attended our 
arms in this struggle, should excite no vainglorious 
spirit, no boastful arrogance, no overweening confi- 
dence. Least of all — for this need not be — should it 
excite a thirst for extended empire. The glowing 
pages of Soils, the honest enthusiasm of Bernal Diaz, 
and the truthful eloquence of our own Prescolt, may 
well be admired; but the career of Cortes is none the 
less unworthy of imitation, because it is adorned, on the 
pages of history, by the charms of composition, and the 
graces of intellect. Should a republic, founded as an 
asylum to which the wronged and the oppressed mght 
flee for safety — a peaceful refuge from tyranny and 
wrong — forget its high mission, and seek for glory in 
foreign conquests, it would, indeed, provoke the scorn 
and derision of mankind. 

War is an evil ! — Its crimsoned fields, scented with 
slaughter, and steaming with corruption, speak volumes 
in its condemnation. Its pride and pomp are based on 
human misery. The attractions of martial renown are 
many ; but — alas I — at what an enormous sacrifice are 
they purchased ! The laurel-wreath of the victor may 
relieve, but it cannot conceal, the mournful cypress that 
droops beside it. Scattered all over our fair country, 
here are monuments, like the tumuli in the church- 
ards of the Tyrol, evidences of that affection which 
wiings to its object beyond the grave, — of deep, sincere, 
and heartfelt gratitude ; — yet do they also testify to the 
suffering and wretchedness that war has occasioned. 

one-half of the Georgia infantry battalion died in Mexico, and the Srd 
and 4th Tennessee volunteers lost 3()0 men by death, without having ever 
been in an engagement. The regular regiments suffered a great deal 
in this respect, though, being under stricter discipline, in nothing like 
the same proportion. 



REFLECTIONS. 505 

As Americans, therefore, sacredly revering the memo- 
ries of Washington and the heroes of the Revolution, 
— and in whose minds the names of Jackson, and Har- 
rison, and Brown, are imperishably associated with the 
plains of Chalmette, the valley of the Thames, and the 
heights of Niagara, — while we may point with satisfac- 
tion, as' we ought, to the frowning fortresses, the burn- 
ing sands, and the lofty mountains of Mexico, as the 
memorable witnesses of the skill, genius, and gallantry, 
of Scott and Taylor, — of Worth, and Wool, and 
Twiggs, — and of the dauntless courage and intrepidity 
of the brave men whom they led forth to battle, — we 
should do no injustice to them, none to our national 
character, by expressing the hope that this may be the 
last war in which our country shall be engaged, and 
that, henceforth, all her ways may be ways of pleasant- 
ness, and all her paths be peace. 

Still, a resort to arms may not always be avoided. 
The social and political millennium, to which the phi- 
lanthropist and Christian look forward with eager and 
anxious expectation, has not yet dawned upon us. 
The privileges and blessings of peace, desirable as they 
are, may sometimes be denied. Caution and prudence, 
united with promptness and determination, will go 
very far to secure their permanence. " Be just, but 
fear not I" — should ever be our national maxim. — Firm- 
ness is the policy of war, as it is the policy of peace. 
Justice to our own citizens, in the legislation of the 
country, will prevent internal feuds and dissensions ; 
and justice to other governments will save us from the 
manifold evils of war. 

So long as this remains the governing principle of our 
diplomatic intercourse, should collisions unfortunately 
occur, our soldiers will not forget, in the hour of battle, 



^6 CONCLUSION. 

that he is thrice armed, " who hath his quarrel just." 
This reflection will be to him both sword and buckler ; 
it will stimulate his zeal, and arouse his courage ; it 
will strengthen his heart, and be a panoply for his pro- 
tection. By adopting this policy, too, and pursuing it 
steadily and unerringly, the fire of liberty kindled by 
our forefathers in this western wilderness, will long be 
a beacon light to the nations, — not, like the darting 
meteor, fitful and evanescent, but, as the vestal flame, 
glowing brighter and purer, ever and forever ! 



SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE, 

TO THK 

SECOND EDITION. 



Since the publication of the first edition of this history, authentic in- 
formation has been received of the discovery of vast, and almost incred- 
ible mineral wealth, in that portion of California belonging to the Unitea 
States, under the provisions of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. If a 
bare tithe of the accounts daily borne to the Atlantic states prove to be 
true, — and there is no reason to doubt that they are to u great exten. 
well-founded, — the El Dorado, in quest of which the interior of South 
America was explored in vain, has been, at length; found amid the swell 
ing slopes and lofty bidtcs of the Sierra Nevada. The remarks, there- 
fore, in the body of this work,* relative to the value of the territory ac- 
quired from Mexico, by the terms of the treaty of peace, fall so far short 
of the reality since the development of its extraordinary resources, that 
I have thought proper to embody in a supplementary note, all the gen- 
eral and most important facts respecting this discovery. 

Vague rumors in regard to the mineral treasures locked up in the vol- 
canic mountain ranges of California, — at certain times attracting greater 
attention than at others, but never receiving much credit,— have been 
circulating through the world for centuries. Among the first trophies 
brought to Cortes, after the conquest of Mexico, in 1521, were samples 
of Californian pearls ; and it was then reported, that gold and gems 
were to be found in the regions at the north which had not yet been visited 
by the Europeans. Two expeditions were fitted out by Cortes, rn 1532 
and 1533, and sent on voyages of discovery to the North-west. The 
latter crossed the Gulf of California, called by the Spaniards, in honor 
of the illustrious discoverer. Mar de Cortes — the Sea of Cortes — and ef- 
fected a landing at the modern port of La Paz. Shortly after this, the 
Conqueror himself embarked with a squadron, and planted a colony a 
the same place. His attempts to settle the country, however, were un 
successful, and the colonists eventually returned to Mexico. In 1539 
be dispatched another expedition under an officer by the name of Ullo^ 

* Ante, p. 500, et seq. 



#09 EARLT SETTLERS OF CALIFORNIA. 

who sailed to the head of the Gulf, doubled the peninsula, and ascended 
along the western coast, to the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth degree of 
north latitude, but was never afterwards heard of. 

Nothing daunted by his ill success, Cortes projected still another ex- 
pedition ; but his enterprise was now checked by the .viceroy Mendoza, 
whose mind had been inflamed by the golden reports of an itinerant 
monk sent to convert the Indians of Sonora, and who had penetrated 
far into the interior of California. The viceroy claimed the right of dis- 
covery, and Cortes appealed to the Emperor. The premature death of 
Cortes, pending the appeal, put an end to all his ambitious hopes, and, 
jn a considerable degree, to the discoveries which he and others had an- 
ticipated.* 

Various expeditions were subsequently undertaken, but with little or 
no success. The energetic spirit of the sreat adventurer and discoverer 
had died with him ; the glittering realms, where gold and precious stones 
were said to abound in exhaustless profusion, were never reached ; and 
the descendants of the Conquistadorcswere ohliged to content themselves 
with the far less valuable silver mines of Mexico. 

The pearl fisheries in the Gulf of California, however, were soon 
made available, and formal possession of the peninsula was taken by the 
Spanish authorities, in 1509. Not quite fifty years later, the Jesuits es- 
tablished themselves in the country, and gradually extended their mis- 
sions to the north. They were, no doubt, aware of the existence of gold 
and silver in CaUfornia ; yet they dissuaded the Indians from digging 
after the minerals, — probably for the reason that they did not suppose 
there could be sufficient quantities found to render the search profitable, 
— and encouraged them to devote their time to herding cattle and other 
agricultural pursuits. In 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from the pos- 
sessions of Spain, and were succeeded, in California, by Franciscan and 
Dominican friars. Deprived of the fostering care, the energy and indus- 
try, of the followers of Ignatius Loyola, the mission establishments began 
rapidly to decline, and the discoveries which might ultimately have been 
made under their auspices, were reserved for a more enterprising people 
than the white inhabitants who now made their way to the Cahfornias. 

Adventurers from Mexico, from Spain and the United States, 
American and European seamen, emigrated thither, and founded settle- 
ments on the inner shore of the Gulf, and along the iron-bound coast of 
the Pacific, from Cape San Lucas to the Bay of San Francisco.f 

• Preecott's Conquest of Mexico, vol. Ill, p. 333, et seq.— Greenhow's History of 
Oregon and California, p. 22, et seq. 

t The mongrel white population of Upper California was compated, in 1843, to 
be about 5,000, and the Indians 33,000. 



EXPLORATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS. 509 

Some few among them appear to have been active and industrious, 
but the great majority speedily relapsed into habits of indolence and 
siothfulness. No extraordinary efforts were made to develop the re- 
sources of the country ; considerable silver w^as discovered, but as there 
was no mercury to purify it, that obtained was of an inferior quality, 
and afforded a trifling profit. A rich mine, called San Antonio, near 
La Paz, was wrought for several years, and is said to have yielded 
handsome returns. But the political dissensions that agitated the south- 
ern departments of Mexico, were felt in the Cahfornias, perhaps more 
than all, in the baneful influence which they exerted in repressing the 
energies of the inhabitants, and curbing the little spirit of enterprise that 
had previously animated them. 

For many years, there was scarcely the least improvement in Upper 
or Lower California, and if any progress was made, it was at a snail's 
pace. Hides and tallow formed the principal articles of exportation 
from the upper province; hut the trade was small, and liable to fre- 
quent interruptions, by reason of the struggles between the different fac- 
tions for the ascendancy. Matters remained pretty much in this condi- 
tion, till after the termination of the war with the United States, and 
the cession to them of Upper California. 

This territory, now belonging to the American Union, embraces an 
area of 448,961 square miles. It extends along the Pacific coast, 
from about the thirty-second parallel of north latitude,* a distance of 
near seven hundred miles, to the forty-second parallel, the southern 
boundary of Oregon. .On the east it is bounded by New Mexico. 
During the long period which transpired, between its discovery and its 
cession to the United States, this vast tract of country was freq^uently 
visited by men of science from all parts of the world. Repeated exami- 
nations were made by learned and enterprising ofiicers and civilians ; 
but none of them discovered the important fact, that the mountain tor- 
rents of the Sierra Nevada were constantly pouring down their golden 
sands into the vallies of the Sacramento and San Joaquim. The glit- 
tering particles twinkled beneath their feet in the ravines which they 
explored, or glistened in the water-courses which they forded, — yet they.^j 
passed them by unheeded. Not a legend, or tradition, was heard among 
the white settlers, or the aborigines, that attracted their curiosity. A 
nation's ransom lay within their grasp, but, strange to say, it escaped 
their notice, — it flashed and sparkled all in vain.t 

The Russian American Company had a large establishment at Ross 

* See p. 493, ante. 

t A gold placera was discovered some years ago near the mission of San Fer- 
nando, but it was very Utile worked, on account of the want of water. 



510 6KTTLEMENT AT NEW HELVETIA. 

and Rodega, ninety miles north of San Francisco, founded as early as 
the year 1812 ; and factories were also established in the territory by 
the Hudson Bay Company. Their agents and employes ransacked the 
whole country west of the Sierra Nevada, or Snowy Mountains, in 
search of game. In 1838, Captain Sutter, formerly an officer in the 
Swiss Guards of Charles X, king of France, emigrated from the state 
of Missouri to Upper California, and obtained from the Mexican gov- 
ernment a conditional grant of thirty leagues square of land, bounded 
on the west by the Sacramento river. Having purchased the stock, 
arms, and ammunition, of the Russian establishment, he erected a 
dwelling and fortification on the left bank of the Sacramento, about 
fifty miles from its mouth, and near what was termed, in allusion to the 
new settlers, the American fork. This formed the nucleus of a thriving 
settlement, to which Captain Sutter gave the njme of New. Helvetia. 
It is situated at the head of navigation for vessels on the Sacramento, 
in latitude 38° 33' 45" North, and longitude 121° 20' 05" West. 
During a residence often years in the immediate vicinity of the recently 
discovered placeras, or gold regions, Capteun Sutter was neither the 
wiser, nor the richer, for the brilliant treasures that lay scattered around 
him.* 

In the year 1841, careful examinations of the Bay of San Francisco, 
and of the Sacramento river and its tributaries, were made by Lieutenant 
Wilkes, the commander of the Exploring Expedition ; and a party under 
Lieutenant Emmons, of the navy, proceeded up the valley of the Willa- 
mette, crossed the intervening highlands, and descended the Sacramento. 
In 1843-4, similar examinations were made by Captain, afterwards Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Fremont, of the Topographical Engineers, and in 184(>, 
by Major Emory, of the same corps. None of these officers made any 
discoveries of minerals, although they were led to conjecture, as private 
individuals who had visited the country had done, from its volcanic for- 
mation and peculiar geological features, that they might be found to 
exist in considerable quantities. f 

As is often the case, chance at length accomplished what science had 

• Famham's Adventures in California.— Wilkes' Narrative of the Exploring Ex- 
pedition. — Fremonl's Narrative. 

t See Famham's Adventures, Wilkes' and Fremont's Narratives, and Emory's 
Report. — In 1846, Eugenic Macnamara, a Catholic priest and missionary, obtained 
a ^ant of a large tract of land between the San Joaquim and the Sierra Nevada, 
the Cosumn6s and the Tulares in the vicinity of San Gabriel, from Pio Pico, gov- 
ernor of the Califomias, for the purpose of establishing upon it a large colony of 
Irish Catholics ; but the grant was not ratified by the Central Government, and tho 
project was not carried Into effect. There is no evidence that Father Macnamara 
was aware of the existence of gold in the valley of San Joaquim. 



DISCOVERT OF GOLD. 611 

failed to do. — In the winter of 1847-8, a Mr. Marshall commenced the 
construction of a saw-mill for Captain Sutter, on the north branch of 
the American fork, and about fifty miles above New Helvetia, in a re- 
gion abounding with pine timber. The dam and race were completed, 
but on attempting to put the mill in motion, it was ascertained that the 
tail-race was too narrow to permit the water to escape with perfect free- 
dom. A strong current was then passed in, to wash it wider and deeper, 
by which a large bed of mud and gravel was thrown up at the foot of the 
race. Some days after this occurrence, Mr. Marshall observed a number 
of brilliant particles on this deposit of mud, which attracted his attention. 
On examining them, he became satisfied that they were gold, and com- 
municated the fact to Captain Sutter. It was agreed between them, that 
the circumstance should not be made public for the present ; but, like the 
secret of Midas, it could not be concealed. The Mormon emigrants, of 
whom Mr. Marshall was one, were soon made acquainted with the dis- 
covery, and in a few weeks all California was agitated with the startling 
information. 

Business of every kind was neglected, and the ripened grain was left 
in the fields unharvested. Nearly the whole population of Upper Cali- 
fornia became infected with the mania, and flocked to the mines. 
Whalers and merchant vessels entering the ports were abandoned by 
their crews, and the American soldiers and sailors deserted in scores. 
Upon the disbandment of Colonel Stevenson's regiment, most of the men 
made their way to the mineral regions. Within three months after the 
discovery, it was computed that there were near four thousand persons, 
including Indians, who were mostly employed by the whites, engaged in 
washing for gold. Various modes were adopted to separate the metal from 
the sand and gravel, — some making use of tin-pans ; others of close- 
woven Indian baskets ; and others still, of a rude machine, called the 
cradle, six or eight feet long and mounted on rockers, with a coarse 
grate, or sieve, at one end, but open at the other. The washings were 
mainly confined to the low wet grounds, and the margins of the streams, 
— the earth being rarely disturbed more than eighteen inches below the 
surface. The value of the gold dust obtained by each man, per day, is 
said to have ranged from ten to fifty dollars, and sometimes even to have 
far exceeded that. The natural consequence of this state of things was 
that the prices of labor, and, indeed, of everything, rose immediately, 
from ten to twenty fold.* 

As may readily be conjectured, every stream and ravine in the valley 

% 
• Official Dispatch of Colonel Mason, Commander of the 10th Military Depart- 
ment, August 17, 1848.— Letters of Thomas O. Larkin, U. S. Coasul at Monterey, to 
the Secretary of State, June 1, and June 28, 184a 



512 THE PLACERAS. 

of the Sacramento was soon explored. Gold was found on every one 
of its tributaries ; but the richest earth was discovered near the Rio de 
las Plumas, or Feather river,* and its branches, the Yubah and Bear 
rivers,— and on Weber's creeli, a tributary of the American fork. Ex- 
plorations were also made in the valley of the San Joaquim, wliich re- 
sulted in the discovery of gold on the Cosumnes and other streams, and 
in the ravines cf the Coast Range, west of the valley, as far down as 
Ciuuad de los Angelos. 

Sometimes the gold has been found encasing a bright sparkling crystal 
of quartz, but no accounts have been received up to this date, (January, 
1849.) indicating that it has been encountered in its matrix, or the place 
of its original production. In the " dry diggings," or ravines, it is ob- 
tained in grains, averaging from one to two pennyweights, — and one 
piece has been found weighing thirty-five pennyweights; but in the 
swamps, and on the margins of streams, it is procured in small flat 
spangles, six or seven of which are required to make one grain. Speci- 
mens of the metal have been assayed at the mint in Philadelphia, under 
the direction of Professor Patterson, and the average fineness ascertained 
to be &;)4 thousandths, being a little below the standard, which is 900, 
but fully equal to that obtained in the southern States, and nearly as 
good as the best gold procured in Africa. 

In regard to the productiveness of the gojd pla-ceras of California, it is 
difficult to make any estimates, or form any conjectures. In a Memorial 
of the citizens of San Francisco, dated in September, 1848, praying 
congress to establish a branch mint in the territory, it was estimated that 
the sum of five and a half millions of dollars would be removed from the 
mines during the year ending on the 1st of July, 1819. But this calcu- 
lation was evidently predicated on the number of persons then engaged 
at the washings. Since that time, there has been a vast influx of 
pold-hnnto'S from Oregon, Mexico, South America, and the Sandwich 
Islands. Large numbers of citizens of the United States, have also 
set out for California, by way of Cape Horn, the Panama route, or 
overland from Independence. It is, therefore, not improbable that 
before the close of the year, the population may be trebled, or even 
quadrupled. 

It has been predicted by some, that the washings in California would 
soon be exhausted, as were those of Brazil, from which ten millions 
sterling were once annually sent to Europe. The volcanic character of 

* Feather river is the first considerable branch of the Sacramento below the 
Prairie Buttes. It has a course of about forty miles, and empties into the main 
river about fifteen miles above New Helvetia. Though the Sacramento is navigabl* 
for vessels, only to that place, boats can pass up one hundred mileB further. 



EXTENT AND PRODUCTIVENESS OF THE MINES. 513 

the country, and its geological peculiarities, hardly confirm this opinion 
although it is by no means improbable. Gold has been found, or there 
are indications of its existence, at different points along the western 
base of the Sierra Nevada, for nearly seven hundred miles ; and it has 
been discovered east of the mountains, on the Great Salt Lake, and at 
various other places in the great interior basin of California. If we 
may place any reliance upon the inferences fiiirly deducible from these 
facts, it may be safely presumed, that the rugged buttresses of the Sierra 
Nevada contain a vaster deposit of mineral wealth than has yet been 
found in any other locality in the known world, — in extent and produc- 
tiveness far excelling the Andes of Peru, the Carpathian lancie of Hun- 
gary, or ths Ural mountains of Russia.* 

In addition to the gold mines, other important discoveries have been 
made in Upper California. A rich vein of quicksilver has been opened 
at New Almadin, near Santa Clara, which, with imperfect macliinery, 
— the heat by which the metal is made to exude from the rock bein<r 
apphed by a very rude process, — yields over thirty per cert. This mine, 
— one of the principal advantages to be derived from which will be, that 
the working of the silver mines scattered through the territory must now 
become profitable, — is superior to those of Almadin in old Spain, and 
second only to those of Idria, near Trieste, the richest in the world.f 
It is more than probable, also, that other veins will be opsneu, as the 
soil for miles around is highly impregnated with mercury. 

Lead mines have likewise been discovered in the neighborhood of 
Sonoma, and vast beds of iron ore near the American fort, yielding 
from eighty-five to ninety per cent. Copper, platina, tin, sulphur, zinc, 
and cobalt, everywhere abound ; coal exists in large quantit.es in the 
Cascade Range of Oregon, of which the Sierra Nevada is a continua- 
tion ; and in the vicinity of all this mineral wealth, there are immense 
quarries of marble and granite, for building purposes. 

Colonel Mason expresses the opinion, in his official dispatch, that 
" there is more gold in the country drained by the Sacramento and San 
Joaquim rivers, than will pay the cost of the [late] war with Mexico a 
hundred times over.":f: Should this even prove to be an exaggeration, 
there can be little reason to doubt, when we take into consideration all 

« The peaks of the Sierre Nevada are from ten to fifteen thousand feet above the 
level of the ocean ; the Carpathian mountains seven thousand five hundred feet ; 
and the Ural mountains between four and five thousand feet. 

t The minds of Almadin yield only ten per cent ; and those at Idria range as 
high as eighty per cent, although ores containing only one per cent are worked 
Specimens of cinnabar from California have been examined at the Philadelphia 
mint : the red ore yielded over thirty-three per cent, and the yellow ore over fifteen. 
, t Letter to the Secretary of War, dated August 17, ie4a 



614 VALUK OK CALIFORNIA. 

the mineral resources of the country, that the territory of California is by 
far the richest acquisition made by this government since its organization. 
All that is needed to render these resources of incalculable benefit to 
our people is, to discountenance from the outset the system of monopoly 
which proved so ruinous to the interests of Spain in Mexico and Peru ; 
to foster individual enterprise ; and to open a more direct communica- 
tion with Cali:brnia, by a railroad across the isthmus of Panama, as is 
now contemplated, or some similar work. Should this be done, not 
many years rcust elapse, ere the land-locked Bay of San Francisco, ad- 
mitted by ar. experienced navigator to be "one of the finest, if not 
the very best harbor in the world,"* will be filled with richly-freighted 
argosies ; and the fertile intervals and slopes of California will yield 
forth of their abundance, to supply the wants of a numerous and enter- 
prising population.! 

* Wilkes' Namtive of the Exploring Expedition, vol. V., p. 157. 

t Much ihe gKater portion of the strip of land between the Sierra Nevada and 
/he coast (ante, p. 501,) will, doubtless, ultimately be made available for agriciiltural 
purposes,— by irrigation, where it is needed. The fertility of the soil is remarkable ; 
eighty bushels jf wheat for one is the average yield, and sometimes, though this 
^e not usual, jne hundred and twenty have been obtained. — Wilkes' Narrative, 
p. 153, 159. 



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